Thomas M\u00fcller and Lionel Messi set for showdown in MLS Cup final between Vancouver and Inter MiamiBy TIM REYNOLDSAP Sports WriterThe Associated PressFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.Thomas M\u00fcller knows what it’s like to face Lionel Messi with a trophy on the line. The 2025 MLS Cup final between Messi’s Inter Miami and M\u00fcller’s Vancouver Whitecaps is drawing comparisons to past World Cup clashes between Argentina and Germany. Germany, with M\u00fcller, won those matches. They’ll meet again on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. M\u00fcller emphasizes it’s about the teams, not just the stars. Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 with the goal of winning an MLS Cup. Both players have secured their legacies, but like Messi, M\u00fcller seeks an MLS title. The stage is set for an exciting showdown.<\/p>\n
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) \u2014 Thomas M\u00fcller knows exactly what it is like to face Lionel Messi with a trophy at stake.<\/p>\n
And he knows what it takes to win in those moments, too.<\/p>\n
The 2025 MLS Cup final \u2014 Messi and Inter Miami vs. M\u00fcller and the Vancouver Whitecaps \u2014 is going to draw a few comparisons from a personnel standpoint to the 2014 World Cup final and 2010 World Cup quarterfinal matches between Argentina and Germany.<\/p>\n
Germany, with M\u00fcller, won both times. Messi played in those matches for Argentina, as did Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. They’ll all meet again on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, with M\u00fcller surely knowing that facing Messi doesn’t automatically mean a loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about Messi against Thomas M\u00fcller,” he told reporters after Vancouver’s 3-1 win over San Diego<\/a> in the Western Conference final on Saturday night. \u201cIt\u2019s Miami against the Whitecaps.\u201d<\/p>\n Then he added, \u201cMaybe they rely a little bit more on him than we do on me, because we are such a good group.\u201d<\/p>\n What Messi thinks of the matchup \u2014 he’s gone head to head with M\u00fcller 10 times in various competitions, and his side has won only three of those \u2014 is a bit of mystery and likely may stay that way. Inter Miami rarely makes Messi available for interviews.<\/p>\n This much, however, is known: Messi came to Inter Miami midway through 2023 with the goal of winning an MLS Cup, something that seemed far-fetched at the time considering when he joined the club it was at the bottom of the league. A win on Saturday would fulfill his quest and would cap a season when Messi also won MLS’ Golden Boot<\/a> as the top scorer \u2014 plus, more than likely, a second consecutive league MVP award.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though he’s the best in history … it’s unfair to believe that he’s going to win every game,\u201d Mascherano said after Inter Miami’s 5-1 romp past New York City FC<\/a> in the Eastern Conference final on Saturday night. \u201cEverybody has raised their level.\u201d<\/p>\n The MLS final comes as part of a huge week for soccer in North America.<\/p>\n The FIFA World Cup draw for next year\u2019s men\u2019s tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is on Friday in Washington along with the initial awarding of that organization\u2019s peace prize<\/a> that many expect the group to award to President Donald Trump. (\u201cOn the 5th of December, you will see,\u201d FIFA President Gianni Infantino said a few weeks ago when asked if Trump would win the award.) MLS, if past form holds, seems likely to announce its MVP award winner this week. And college soccer is nearing its championship rounds; the men\u2019s Division I quarterfinals are this coming weekend along with the start of the women\u2019s Division I College Cup.<\/p>\n It’s not like either Messi or M\u00fcller needs a win on Saturday to complete some sort of validation. Their resumes and legacies were secured long ago: Both are World Cup winners, both are Champions League winners, both are Club World Cup winners.<\/p>\n But like Messi, M\u00fcller came to MLS \u2014 he joined Vancouver four months ago \u2014 seeking a title in that league to add to the list. The chance has arrived.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy watching him,” M\u00fcller said in an on-field interview for Apple TV following Vancouver’s win Saturday night. \u201cI have the feeling Miami’s a very strong team. We saw them beating New York in quite a really strong manner. It’s a big final. I wished for this final. And here we go. I think it’s great for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n