MLS final: Müller relies on Bayern mentality against Messi | OneFootball

Thomas Müller is once again in a major final – this time not with FC Bayern, but with the Vancouver Whitecaps. In his first MLS season, the 36-year-old is immediately going for the title and will face none other than Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The anticipation is huge, but the mentality is typical Müller: celebration allowed, focus mandatory

After the 3:1 in San Diego and winning the Western Conference, there was a brief celebration, Müller writes in his newsletter, „but you know what? It was immediately clear: job is not done. One step is still missing.“ It is precisely this attitude that reminds him strongly of his Bayern days: „One step is still missing. That’s how I know it from FC Bayern – a semi-final is quite nice, but logically it’s always about the whole sausage.“

The Whitecaps – mentally strong and ripped off

photo: IMAGO

Müller praises the quality and resilience of his team. Vancouver have „a lot of really good players in all positions“, but their biggest asset is their mentality. „Comebacks in injury time, penalty shootouts won – we’ve experienced a lot together. The confidence isn’t just talk – we’ve earned it.“

They will also need these qualities in the final in Miami, where a madhouse, a star-studded team and Lionel Messi await

For Müller, it’s exactly the final that everyone has been talking about since his MLS debut: Whitecaps against Inter Miami, Müller against Messi. „What could be better than playing against the GOAT – and beating him?“ he says. But he also emphasizes: „We’re playing against a team, not a player.“

Focus, looseness, hunger for the title

He expects the duel to be completely open. Both teams want the ball, both are offensively strong. „I hope we get into the game as well as we did in the conference final against San Diego.“ He is encouraged by the fact that Vancouver has already beaten Miami – even with Messi on the court

Now it’s about finding the perfect mix of concentration and enjoyment of the game. The title is the goal, but Müller attaches importance to the right approach: „Of course we’re fighting for the MLS title, but above all we want to show that we play the best soccer. Content before results.“