FORT LAUDERDALE: Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their first ever MLS Cup title on Saturday, playing a starring role in a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Florida.
Argentina superstar Messi provided assists for two goals and helped create another to spark wild celebrations before a rapturous home crowd at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
"This is the moment that I've been waiting for, and that we as a team have been waiting for," Messi, named MLS Cup Most Valuable Player, said afterwards.
Miami took the lead after an early Edier Ocampo own goal, but were left reeling by Ali Ahmed's second-half equalizer for Vancouver.
But Messi then laid on an assist for Argentina international team-mate Rodrigo De Paul to put Miami 2-1 up before supplying the pass for Tadeo Allende's injury-time goal that sealed victory.
Miami's first Major League Soccer crown provided glittering vindication for co-owner David Beckham, the former England and Manchester United star who had long dreamed of bringing success to Miami.
"There was a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed," Beckham said afterwards. "I always believed in bringing the team here, and when I found the right partners I knew anything was possible.
"We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we've achieved that."
Vancouver, spearheaded by German legend Thomas Mueller, had looked the likelier victor after recovering from Ocampo's eighth-minute own goal to level through Ali Ahmed in the 60th minute.
The Whitecaps almost took the lead moments after the equalizer, with Emmanuel Sabbi's shot crashing off both posts in the 62nd minute as Miami escaped.
