Lionel Messi has delivered Inter Miami to the brink of its first Major League Soccer championship.
Inter Miami defeated New York City FC, 5-1, in the Eastern Conference final on Saturday, Nov. 29. As a result, Inter Miami will play in MLS Cup for the first time.
Inter Miami will play the winner of the Western Conference final in MLS Cup. Since Inter Miami finished the regular season with a better record than both Western Conference finalists — San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps — the Herons will host the league’s championship game at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, Dec. 6 (2:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV and FOX).
Tadeo Allende had a hat trick in Inter Miami’s impressive victory. Allende has a league-leading eight goals during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia added second-half goals for Miami. Messi’s assist on Silvetti’s goal gave him 13 goal contributions (six goals, seven assists) in Inter Miami’s five playoff games this season.
It was an all-in, “Last Dance”-type campaign for Inter Miami. Two of Messi’s legendary former FC Barcelona teammates, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, are retiring. Another ex-Barcelona teammate of Messi, Luis Suarez, is not yet under contract for 2026.
For Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or award winner and 2022 World Cup champion with Argentina, he can win his 47th career trophy for club and country if Inter Miami prevails in MLS Cup.
Inter Miami becomes the 20th different club to appear in MLS Cup. In the six-season history of Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, it has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Now, the club is one step away from collecting its grandest prize.
Inter Miami vs. New York City FC Eastern Conference final highlights
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