"This is the moment I've been waiting for." Messi delivers emotional reaction to Inter Miami's MLS Cup triumph
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
Inter Miami clinched their first-ever MLS Cup, overcoming the Vancouver Whitecaps in a dramatic final. After the victory, the club’s talisman Lionel Messi confessed this was the main objective for the season and highlighted the immense contribution from Javier Mascherano’s squad.
Three years ago, I chose MLS—and now we’re champions. We reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, and last year we crashed out very early. This season, from day one, we knew the MLS Cup was our top priority. The team put in an enormous effort: a long season, so many matches… and we kept our level. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for—and the whole team has been waiting for. We deserved this.
In the final, Messi was the centerpiece, playing a part in all three of his team’s goals and providing two assists. At the end of the match, the Argentine was named the season’s MVP.
After lifting the trophy, Messi offered special congratulations to Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who announced they would retire at the end of the season.
The fact that they’re leaving with this title is wonderful. They’re both legends, each in their own position. They still have to come to terms with what retirement means. For them, a huge part of life is ending and a new chapter is about to begin. I wish them all the best—they’re my friends, and I’m happy they’re saying goodbye to football as champions.
