Busquets, De Paul & Messi: Inter Miami's World Cup champions make MLS history | OneFootball

By MLSsoccer staff

Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi made history in MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi.

With Inter Miami CF's 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium, that trio became the first players to win both an MLS Cup and FIFA World Cup.

De Paul and Messi captured the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, while Busquets lifted the 2010 World Cup with Spain.

Unsurprisingly, all three players were crucial as Inter Miami raised their first Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.

Messi was named MLS Cup 2025 MVP presented by Audi for a two-assist performance, including on De Paul's 71st-minute game-winning goal. Messi and De Paul also helped create the opener, scored by Vancouver defender Édier Ocampo (8') after a Tadeo Allende cross.

Meanwhile, Busquets went the full 90 minutes in his last professional match. The midfielder planned to retire after the 2025 MLS season, doing so alongside fellow Spain and FC Barcelona legend Jordi Alba.

Before MLS Cup, Busquets and Messi led the Herons to their first two titles: Leagues Cup 2023 and the 2024 Supporters' Shield, the latter with an MLS record 74 points (single season).

Sergio Busquets

Midfielder · Inter Miami CF

World Cup: Busquets' 143 caps are the third-most in Spain history, trailing Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos. He played at four World Cups and started every match at South Africa 2010 as they defeated the Netherlands, 1-0, in the final via Andrés Iniesta's extra-time winner.

2025 MLS season: Busquets led Miami in minutes played during the 2025 campaign, featuring in 56 of their MLS single-season record 58 matches. He notched 10 assists, often orchestrating attacks from a deep-lying midfield position. In late September, Busquets announced his planned retirement.

Rodrigo De Paul

Midfielder · Inter Miami CF

World Cup: De Paul started all seven of Argentina's matches at the 2022 World Cup. He went 102 minutes in the final vs. France and developed a reputation as "Messi's bodyguard" for protecting La Albiceleste's captain.

2025 MLS season: De Paul joined Miami in July on loan from LaLiga side Atlético Madrid and formed a strong midfield partnership with Busquets. His MLS Cup game-winner is among the biggest goals in Miami's history, and he ended the year with 2g/7a in 23 appearances (all competitions).

Lionel Messi

Forward · Inter Miami CF

World Cup: Messi has made 26 World Cup appearances across five separate tournaments. He won the Golden Ball (best player) at Qatar 2022 while finishing with 7g/3a, including a brace in the final against France and Kylian Mbappé (3-3 tie; 4-2 Argentina on penalty kicks).

MLS season: Messi finished the 2025 playoffs with an MLS record 15 goal contributions (6g/9a), following up on his MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi capture with 29g/19a. His combined 63 goal contributions across the regular season and playoffs are the most in league history, outpacing LAFC legend Carlos Vela in second place (52; 2019 season). Messi is poised to become the first back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP.

Every MLS x World Cup champion

Inter Miami's victory stopped Vancouver star Thomas Müller from becoming the first MLS Cup-World Cup champion. The Bayern Munich icon, who joined the Whitecaps in August, won the 2014 World Cup with Germany against Messi-led Argentina.

As of the 2025 season, 19 World Cup champions have played in MLS.

Lothar Matthäus

Branco

Youri Djorkaeff

Thierry Henry

Denílson

Kléberson

Kaká

Alessandro Nesta

Andrea Pirlo

David Villa

Sergio Busquets

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Thomas Müller

Blaise Matuidi

Hugo Lloris

Olivier Giroud

Thiago Almada

Lionel Messi

Rodrigo De Paul

WATCH: Inter Miami outduel Vancouver Whitecaps for first MLS Cup