Messi: Inter Miami winning MLS Cup was a 'beautiful, emotional moment'

Lionel Messi says it was a "beautiful, emotional moment" for Inter Miami after they won the MLS Cup for the first time in their history.

Messi got two assists to guide Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Herons' final-ever game at Chase Stadium to clinch the trophy.

Ali Ahmed had cancelled out Edier Ocampo's early own goal, but Messi set up Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende in the second half to secure the win.

Messi played his 26th career final (excluding Super Cups) and has won 18 of those. His assists took him to 26 goal involvements in those showpieces (18 goals, eight assists).

Overall, it was his 23rd assist in MLS this term, more than any other player, while he has contributed to 15 goals in his last six home games (six goals, nine assists).

"A beautiful, emotional moment for us, for the people of Miami, to be able to achieve the MLS objective," Messi told ESPN.

"It's a very new club, so to speak. When we played before, we were lucky enough to win a title, but this was the real objective: to win MLS and be at the top of the American league, and luckily, we achieved it.

"We were fortunate to play at home, a huge joy for the people, so we have to enjoy it."

Miami made their MLS debut in 2020, having officially launched as a franchise in 2018, and co-owner David Beckham, who was watching on in the crowd, was thrilled to see his team claim the top prize.

"All the emotion came out in the final few moments of the game," Beckham said.

"There was a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed in Miami. I found the right partners and knew anything was possible.

"It says freedom to dream on our shirts, and we promised our fans we would deliver. Next year is a new year, but first we celebrate."

Messi's two assists took him to 15 goal involvements in the playoffs, a record for a single MLS postseason, while he set up Allende for a record-breaking goal.

The 26-year-old scored nine goals overall in the playoffs, more than any other player has ever managed (overtook Carlos Ruiz's record of eight from 2002).

And head coach Javier Mascherano, who finished his first season in charge with the trophy, was thrilled Messi realised his dream of winning this honor with Miami.

"I'm very happy for him," Mascherano said. "I'm very happy because of the season that he played.

"For him, it was very, very special and very important to win this trophy. He came here to win this trophy."