Will Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller start in the Inter Miami vs Vancouver MLS Cup Final? Here’s the updates

As the curtain falls on Major League Soccer’s thrilling 2025 season, all eyes turn to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Inter Miami CF hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the MLS Cup Final on December 6. This clash isn’t just a battle for the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy—it’s a historic showdown between two first-time finalists, guaranteeing the league’s 16th different champion. At the heart of the drama? Two soccer legends: Lionel Messi for the Herons and Thomas Müller for the ‘Caps. With kickoff looming, fans are buzzing with one burning question: Will these icons start and light up the pitch in what could be MLS’s most star-studded final ever?

Will Lionel Messi Start?

The short answer: Yes, expect the GOAT to lace up from the opening whistle. After a full training week with no reported issues, Messi is projected as a starter in Inter Miami’s attacking 4-3-3 formation. He’s been untouchable in the playoffs, capping a regular season where he claimed the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists. Coach Javier Mascherano has leaned on Messi’s brilliance for big moments, and with home-field advantage (earned via the Supporters’ Shield), there’s zero reason to bench him. Messi’s presence alone elevates Miami’s odds—bookmakers have the Herons as favorites in a projected 2-1 thriller.

Does Thomas Müller want to start?

Absolutely—Müller is locked in as Vancouver’s creative hub and expected to anchor their 4-4-1-1 setup. The 35-year-old Bayern Munich icon, who arrived in August after 17 trophy-laden years in the Bundesliga, has seamlessly adapted with 9 goals and 4 assists in just 12 appearances across all competitions. His “Raumdeuter” (space interpreter) instincts—finding pockets to unlock defenses—have been key to Vancouver’s cohesion, especially after their penalty-shootout heroics in earlier playoff rounds.

From World Cup Rivals to MLS Titans

Inter Miami and Vancouver have crossed paths before, most memorably in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, where the Whitecaps stunned the Herons with a 5-1 aggregate victory. That April-May thriller saw Vancouver win 2-0 at home and 3-1 on the road, proving the Canadian side’s mettle without Müller’s influence—he joined later that summer. Fast-forward to now, and both teams have reloaded: Miami added World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul, while Vancouver snagged the German maestro to turbocharge their attack.

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient, has been a playoff phenom, shattering records with 13 goal contributions (6 goals, 7 assists) en route to the Eastern Conference title. Inter Miami’s postseason dominance is staggering: They’ve outscored opponents 17-4, including blowout wins like 5-1 over New York City FC and 4-0 at FC Cincinnati. The Herons topped the league with 98 combined regular-season and playoff goals, the most in MLS history. Meanwhile, Vancouver’s dream year includes a club-record 63 regular-season points, a fourth straight Canadian Championship, and a run to the Concacaf Champions Cup final. Under first-year coach Jesper Sørensen, the ‘Caps rank second in goals conceded, blending grit with flair.

This final also carries emotional weight. For Miami, it’s a potential fairy-tale sendoff for retiring Spain legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. For Vancouver, it’s a chance to cap a Cinderella story that began with upstart energy and exploded with Müller’s arrival.