Following Inter Miami’s maiden Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup victory, fans have taken to social media to laud Lionel Messi’s teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, Inter Miami registered a 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final at Banc of California Stadium in Florida. After Edier Ocampo’s calamitous eighth-minute own goal, Whitecaps’ Ali Ahmed restored parity at the hour mark. However, Messi provided two assists, one to Rodrigo De Paul and one to Tadeo Allende, in the final 20 minutes of the clash to secure a Herons win.
Fans Offer Tribute After Lionel Messi-Led Inter Miami’s MLS Cup Win
Both Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba’s soccer careers came to a close after Inter Miami’s 3-1 win. The Spanish pair, who played a combined 180 minutes on Saturday, had announced their respective retirements earlier this October.
An emotional soccer fan posted on X: “Thank you Jordi and Busquets! I really enjoyed seeing you play throughout the years.”
Thank you Jordi and Busquets! I really enjoyed seeing you play throughout the years https://t.co/9fvodFg07t
— Rocky Del Oeste (@Rocky_RN1C) December 6, 2025
One fan pointed out how Messi, Busquets, and Alba showed they could still roll back the years on Saturday.
Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Alba winning together again
— Tom 🏴 (@LFCTom36) December 6, 2025
Another supporter wrote on X: “It’s actually hitting me now that Busquets and Alba are retiring, I can’t even imagine Messi’s last match.”
It’s actually hitting me now that Busquets and Alba are retiring, I can’t even imagine Messi’s last match..
— Stav (@Stav10m) December 6, 2025
A fan echoed the collective sentiment in a post on X: “What a send off for Busquets and Alba.”
What a send off for Busquets and Alba https://t.co/uaQ0HadK4M
— ONI (@ON1_eo) December 6, 2025
Another X post highlighted the emotional states of both Busquets and Alba after full-time.
Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets were in tears after their last match ever. 🥲💔 pic.twitter.com/aD6tXnMQjy
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 6, 2025
One fan took to X and posted: “Inter Miami had won nothing. Messi arrived and won them everything – Leagues Cup, Supporters Shield, Conference Cup and Finally the MLS Cup. And in their last dance, Jordi Alba and Busquets made sure the MLS was fully conquered.”
Inter Miami had won nothing. Messi arrived and won them everything — Leagues Cup, Supporters Shield, Conference Cup and Finally the MLS Cup.
And in their last dance, Jordi Alba and Busquets made sure the MLS was fully conquered. pic.twitter.com/NgxwnfvGOG
— 𓆩 𝕊𝕒𝕞 𓆪 (@samreignz) December 6, 2025
While Busquets played in 116 games for Inter Miami, Alba featured in 103 matches.
David Beckham Has His Say on Messi’s Impact in MLS Cup Final
Minutes after Inter Miami’s historic MLS Cup final win against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Herons president and co-owner David Beckham was asked to offer his thoughts on the result. He hailed Lionel Messi’s influence in the second half of the summit clash.
“All the emotion came out in the final few minutes of the game. All credit to Vancouver, they played a great game and put us under a lot of pressure. And after their goal, they were on top of us. But there was a change and when you give the ball to Leo, he creates chances. The team stuck together and they have done that all year,” the England and Manchester United legend said (via The Athletic).
Asked about his experience of taking Inter Miami to an MLS Cup triumph in just six years, Beckham responded, “There was a lot of sleepless nights. I always believed in Miami and bringing a team here. And I found the right partners. Freedom to dream. We always promised our fans we would bring the best players and bring success. Next year is a new year and we will go again. But tonight we celebrate.”
Inter Miami have now won the MLS Cup, MLS Supporters’ Shield, and Leagues Cup.
