Inter Miami's life changed not only thanks to Messi

Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Beckham celebrate the championship.

On December 7, Inter Miami closed out the 2025 MLS season with a historic title win, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win the title for the first time. Rarely has a match been marked by both "firsts and lasts" like that one.

Close and open

The first star was embroidered onto Inter Miami's pink badge. And it only appeared after they overcame two big challenges: the Eastern Conference final against New York City FC and the MLS Cup final against Vancouver Whitecaps.

When you think of Inter Miami, you think of Lionel Messi. But this team also revolves around Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Rodrigo de Paul, Javier Mascherano and manager David Beckham.

The trophy lifter opened a unique image. Inter Miami became the first club to have three World Cup winners in their squad. Messi and Rodrigo de Paul were both members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup winning team, while Busquets played a key role in Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph.

Rodrigo de Paul joined David Beckham's team in July, and he probably had no idea that within six months he would score his first goal for Miami and win a title in his first MLS season.

The "brain" behind the club's entire journey is Javier Mascherano. He replaced Gerardo Martino and immediately raised expectations. Before coming to the US project, Mascherano had received more criticism than praise during his time leading Argentina's youth teams.

But in just his first year, the young coach brought home something the club had never achieved before: the league championship (counting the Eastern Conference title as two titles).

After Rodrigo de Paul and Mascherano, two Argentinians, Inter Miami's success also includes two other Spaniards. They are Alba and Busquets.

In a poetic and nostalgic atmosphere, Inter Miami's last match at the Chase Stadium was also the last time Alba and Busquets appeared as professional players.

Mascherano answered all doubts thanks to his success with Inter Miami.

Both Spanish stars chose Inter Miami as their final stop. After announcing their retirement in early October, they dedicated what was left of their careers to a grand farewell.

No one played left-back better in MLS last season than Alba, and even his decision to retire surprised Messi himself. For Busquets, his delicate handling in midfield remains a lasting specialty.

The 2025 MLS Cup title marked the end of both of their illustrious careers, as Messi described: "Alba and Busquets have had a great career."

New chapter for Inter Miami

Every good story must end with a goodbye. 2025 will forever be a historic year for Fort Lauderdale. Beyond the records, joy and celebrations that have followed Messi’s Golden Boot win, the Miami team and fans say goodbye to Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami's original home stadium hosted its last MLS Cup final and is now set to close for good. Fans are getting ready to move to Miami Freedom Park, the team's new state-of-the-art stadium.

Standing between the two "roofs" of Chase Stadium and Miami Freedom Park is Beckham. He made history by winning the MLS Cup as both a player and owner.

Inter Miami's journey under Beckham wasn't easy. The team struggled in the early stages and took years to build a solid foundation. However, the real revolution only began when Beckham brought Messi to the US in 2023, a deal that changed the entire face of the team.

Beckham is also the most eager to promote the Miami Freedom Park project. Inter Miami's new stadium is being built with a total investment of 1 billion USD . This is a multi-purpose project including a main football field with 25,000 seats, a roof for most of the stands, modern LED lighting technology and an integrated VAR system.

And now the chapter with Fort Lauderdale closes, opening a new era that promises to be even more explosive.