Lionel Messi and his Barcelona friends Sergi Busquets and Jordi Alba have given their MLS careers a fitting finale as Inter Miami won the championship. The trio, all veterans of international club football, had come to the United States with high expectations but instead sealed their legacy in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps.
A pivotal moment came when Emmanuel Sabbi's shot seemed destined for the net only for it to bounce off two posts before finally being cleared by Maximiliano Falcón. The Uruguayan defender's desperation paid off as the ball sailed out of bounds, securing Inter Miami a well-deserved win.
After the game, Messi and his former teammates celebrated in style, surrounded by fans and cameras. The four friends posed for photos together, with Busquets sharing a moment with his son and Alba embracing one of his own. "Given what they've been – as players, both were among the greatest in history," Messi reflected on their careers, saying that retiring with an MLS title was a wonderful way to cap off their lives dedicated to football.
Despite some signs of physical decline, Busquets continued to showcase his intelligence and passing ability, while Alba demonstrated his trademark telepathic connection with Messi throughout the game. However, it was a collective effort from Inter Miami's young players that secured the win, including midfielder Yannick Bright who admitted to being overcome with emotion after the match.
For the three Barcelona legends, their MLS careers will now come to an end as they look forward to new chapters in life. As for Messi, his children became the focus of attention during the celebrations, with him chasing them through the confetti-strewn stadium. It was a moment of joy and closure for the quartet, who have given their all to the beautiful game for many years.
A pivotal moment came when Emmanuel Sabbi's shot seemed destined for the net only for it to bounce off two posts before finally being cleared by Maximiliano Falcón. The Uruguayan defender's desperation paid off as the ball sailed out of bounds, securing Inter Miami a well-deserved win.
After the game, Messi and his former teammates celebrated in style, surrounded by fans and cameras. The four friends posed for photos together, with Busquets sharing a moment with his son and Alba embracing one of his own. "Given what they've been – as players, both were among the greatest in history," Messi reflected on their careers, saying that retiring with an MLS title was a wonderful way to cap off their lives dedicated to football.
Despite some signs of physical decline, Busquets continued to showcase his intelligence and passing ability, while Alba demonstrated his trademark telepathic connection with Messi throughout the game. However, it was a collective effort from Inter Miami's young players that secured the win, including midfielder Yannick Bright who admitted to being overcome with emotion after the match.
For the three Barcelona legends, their MLS careers will now come to an end as they look forward to new chapters in life. As for Messi, his children became the focus of attention during the celebrations, with him chasing them through the confetti-strewn stadium. It was a moment of joy and closure for the quartet, who have given their all to the beautiful game for many years.
. I mean, Messi's still got some magic in him, but those guys are getting up there in age... 38 is old for a soccer player, right? 
And the fact that they retired with an MLS title just seems like a convenient way to get out of the grind before things start taking their toll on their bodies. Not that I'm saying they didn't deserve it or anything... but still 
. It's all good, though - Messi and co looked happy in the end, and that's what matters most, right? 
I'm literally beaming with pride right now! 
Can you even imagine playing in the biggest games on the biggest stage and then retiring as CHAMPIONS 
? It's such a special way for Messi, Busquets, and Alba to say goodbye to MLS. The way they celebrated together with their loved ones was pure magic 
! Yannick Bright's emotions were totally relatable – I'd have been crying too if I were in his shoes 
. The thing that really gets me is how these legends will now get to spend more time with their families and focus on new adventures 
. It's the perfect ending to an incredible chapter in their lives 
. i remember watching messi play live at the camp nou back in the day 
. he was just a young kid then, but even back then you could tell he had that special something about him. Sergi busquets and jordi alba were like his partners in crime on the pitch 
. to see them all end their careers with an mls title is just... wow 
. it's not just about the win, it's about the memories they've made and the joy they've brought to fans around the world 
. i'm gonna miss watching these guys play (even if it was for a different team 
. Yannick Bright's emotions during that match were genuinely heartwarming tho... love seeing these old-timers still got it in them 
I mean, we knew it was gonna be a long shot with Messi and Co joining Inter Miami but still can't believe they ended up taking the title 
. He's def gonna be missed on th MLS field 
. Busquets & Alba showed they still got it tho 
.
just watched that match and I'm literally beaming with joy for Messi and his squad 
they totally deserved that win!!! 
the young guns like Bright really carried them to that championship win though 
. That last shot was CRAZY 
Inter Miami's young players stepped up and delivered the goods. I mean, can you imagine playing alongside Messi, Busquets, and Alba in your youth? 
Those guys are all-time greats, no doubt about it. Did you know that Busquets was instrumental in Inter Miami's 17-win season? 
He averaged 2.5 tackles per game! And Yannick Bright's stats are on fire too - 10 goals and 7 assists this season 
. It's amazing how even though they've had an incredible career, it feels like they're finally able to breathe a sigh of relief and say "that's a wrap" 
. I mean, Busquets still looks like he can pass a ball through his eyes closed 
, but the three legends getting their MLS crown together was just perfect 
. You can tell they've given everything to the game, it's a shame they didn't get to finish on a bigger stage like the Champions League but I guess sometimes it's about finding closure and new beginnings 
. The way they spoke about their time in MLS was so humble and grateful, it's clear they're proud of what they accomplished 
. And can we talk about how adorable Messi is when he's chasing his kids around? 