Inter Miami's transformation is not solely thanks to Messi.

Winning the 2025 MLS Cup created a series of unprecedented milestones and closed an emotional chapter for Inter Miami at their home stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

ZNews•09/12/2025

Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Beckham celebrate winning the championship.

On December 7th, Inter Miami concluded the 2025 MLS season with a historic championship win, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to claim their first title. Rarely does a match simultaneously mark both "firsts and lasts" like that encounter.

Closing and opening

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

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

Lifting the trophy created a unique spectacle. Inter Miami became the first club to simultaneously have three World Cup champions in its squad. Messi and Rodrigo de Paul were members of the Argentina team that won the 2022 World Cup, while Busquets played a crucial role in Spain's 2010 World Cup victory.

Rodrigo de Paul joined David Beckham's team in July, and he probably never imagined that within just six months he would score his first goal for Miami and win a title in his first MLS season.

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

However, in just his first year, the young coach brought something the club had never achieved before: the league championship (including the Eastern Conference title, making it two titles in total).

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

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

Mascherano dispelled all doubts with his success at Inter Miami.

Both Spanish stars chose Inter Miami as their final destination. After announcing their retirement in early October, they dedicated what they had left to a spectacular farewell.

In last season's MLS, no one played left-back better than Alba, and even his decision to retire surprised Messi. As for Busquets, his exquisite ball control in midfield remains an unforgettable trademark.

The 2025 MLS Cup title became a milestone marking the end of both players' illustrious careers, just as Messi described: "Alba and Busquets have had a great career."

A new chapter for Inter Miami

Every beautiful story must end with a farewell. 2025 will forever be a historic year for Fort Lauderdale. Beyond the records, joy, and celebrations that have lasted since Messi won the Golden Boot, the Miami team and fans bid farewell to Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami's first home stadium, which hosted the final MLS Cup game, is now preparing to close permanently. Fans are getting ready to move to Miami Freedom Park, the team's new, state-of-the-art stadium.

The man standing between the two "roofs," Chase Stadium and Miami Freedom Park, is Beckham. He made history by winning the MLS Cup both as a player and as an owner.

Inter Miami's journey under Beckham wasn't easy. The team faced many difficulties in the early stages and took many years to build a solid foundation. However, the real revolution only began when Beckham brought Messi to the US in 2023, a signing that completely transformed the team.

Beckham is also the most eager to push forward the Miami Freedom Park project. Inter Miami's new stadium is under construction with a total investment of $1 billion . This is a multi-purpose project including a main stadium with 25,000 seats, covered seating for most of the stands, state-of-the-art LED lighting technology and an integrated VAR system.

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