Thomas Müller and Lionel Messi will meet in the MLS Cup final after the Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami won their respective conference play-offs on Saturday.
Müller reached the championship match with Vancouver after a 3–1 win away to San Diego FC, securing the Western Conference title. Miami advanced as Eastern Conference champions following a 5–1 victory over New York City FC.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe final will be played in Miami on December 6, with the hosts earning home advantage through their superior regular-season record. It will be the first MLS Cup final for both clubs.
The matchup brings together two legends of the game - Müller and Messi's first meeting since Bayern Munich faced Paris Saint-Germain in the 2023 Champions League round of 16, and their first final together since the 2014 World Cup, when Germany beat Argentina in Rio.
Müller has won five of their six meetings at club level, including Bayern's 8–2 rout of Barcelona in 2020.
Messi, who joined Miami in 2023, has already lifted the Leagues Cup and Supporters' Shield but had never reached the MLS Cup final until now.
Müller, in his first season in North America, has already won the Canadian Championship with Vancouver.
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