JAKARTA - Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi paid tribute to Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets after helping his old team-mates retire with the last trophy in the 2025 MLS Cup (MLS Cup) final, Sunday, December 7, 2025, early morning WIB.
Inter Miami beat Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at the Chase Stadium to present them with their first MLS Cup title since joining the league in 2020 as an expansion team.
The title is Messi's 44th title in his senior career, with many titles he won with Alba and Busquets at Barcelona.
After Alba and Busquets announced their retirement plans from football ahead of the playoffs, the team hoped to see the two Spanish legends leave the world of football with the final trophy.
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"It's special because we've also arrived here together from the start, the three of us, and the goal. As I said before, about winning this title, which is very important to the development of the club."
"I'm really happy they can go this way, celebrate the title. They are best friends, I really love them."
"I'm grateful to have spent almost my entire career playing with them and ending it with them like this. I wish them all the best," Messi told ESPN.
Alba and Busquets joined Inter Miami with Messi in the summer of 2023, winning the first Liga Cup (Leagues Cup) trophy together before winning Supporters' Shield 2024 and setting a league record for the most points in a season.
Another former Barcelona player, Javier Mascherano, then joined his former team-mate when he was appointed head coach in November 2024.
"The joy and power say goodbye to the two football legends, in the best possible way, as they are, with an extraordinary separation."
"Two players have made history at this club, have changed it completely with Leo. Today they are part of the big history of this club, which is indeed very short, very small, but that is their goal to come, to change the direction of this club."
"So, I'm happy because I know what it means for them to go this way," Mascherano said.
Messi provided two assists in the final against Vancouver for goals in the second half from Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende after Edier Ocampo's own goal from Vancouver put Inter Miami ahead in the eighth minute.
After Inter Miami's third goal effectively ensuring a trophy in injury time, the happy Mascherano ran onto the pitch to hug Alba for the last time.
"I approached Jordi (after the goal) because Busquets was too far away," Mascherano said.
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