Lionel Messi shares heartfelt message to Inter Miami, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba after MLS Cup win

Lionel Messi capped off Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup triumph with a thrilling 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, completing a remarkable cycle that began when he joined the Herons in 2023. After the team’s celebrations, Messi shared a heartfelt message to Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and the entire Inter Miami family.

The MLS Cup not only concluded Inter Miami’s second-ever postseason appearance, but also delivered the franchise’s first league title, just one year after their disappointing 2024 exit at the hands of Atlanta United. Saturday’s match also served as the final chapter for Spanish veterans Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who retire on a high note after helping transform the club.

Following the celebration, Messi took to Instagram to share a message reflecting on his time in Miami: “WE ARE MLS CHAMPIONS!!! Ever since I arrived in Miami, I dreamed of this day. Little by little we kept growing, improving, and building something special until we reached this championship. Thank you to my family and all the fans for the support, and to the entire team, staff, and Inter Miami leadership for the ambition and hard work they put in.”

In a post featuring moments from the match and the celebrations, the captain also honored his longtime former Barcelona teammates in an emotional farewell. “And thank you, Busi and Jordi, for joining me on this adventure and finishing it in the best way. I’m also very happy to share this with you,” he concluded.

Jordi Alba closes his career with 103 games, 15 goals, and 33 assists for Inter Miami, while Sergio Busquets finishes with 116 matches, 1 goal, and 16 assists, both becoming part of the select group of players to reach 100 appearances with the Herons. Their presence as leaders and elite talents will be difficult to replace, but for now, the Spanish legends will savor this championship before beginning a new chapter in their lives.

Lionel Messi, Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul create exclusive MLS club

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have collected dozens of trophies together, first at FC Barcelona and now at Inter Miami, setting new standards in their short but dominant run in MLS. Now, alongside Rodrigo De Paul, the Herons’ trio has formed a new and exclusive group of elite players in league history.

On Saturday, Messi, De Paul, and Busquets became the first players ever to win both the MLS Cup and the FIFA World Cup. Had Vancouver won, Thomas Müller would have become the lone member of that club, but instead the Inter Miami trio now stands alone as the only players to lift MLS’s biggest trophy and also soccer’s greatest honor as world champions.