Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to MLS Cup Glory, Sparking Offseason Frenzy

Inter Miami sit at the center of the MLS storylines after lifting their first MLS Cup with a 3–1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, capping Lionel Messi’s long‑planned project in Miami. ESPN and Sports Illustrated report that Messi pulled the strings again, while the night doubled as a storybook farewell for veterans Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who both retire from club soccer as champions. Javier Mascherano’s role in reshaping Miami’s tactics down the stretch is being widely praised, with added attention on how the club will now rebuild around an aging Messi core and new signings.

Around MLS, the offseason rumor mill is accelerating, with multiple outlets flagging growing interest from European and South American clubs in several young MLS standouts after the Cup final showcase. Front‑office focus is already shifting toward roster compliance, Designated Player slots, and the next wave of intra‑league trades ahead of the SuperDraft and preseason camps.

For the U.S. men’s national team, the big development is the World Cup draw. U.S. Soccer and FIFA confirm that the United States will headline Group D at the 2026 World Cup, facing Paraguay in Los Angeles, Australia in Seattle, and the winner of UEFA Playoff C – Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia, or Türkiye – back in Los Angeles. Commentators are calling it a balanced but tricky group, with particular concern about a potential matchup against a dangerous Türkiye side that recently beat the U.S. in a friendly. The women’s national team remains in a planning phase, with federation updates focused on scheduling top‑tier friendlies to prepare for upcoming Olympic and World Cup cycles, and ongoing scrutiny over how quickly the next generation will fully replace long‑time stars.

Internationally, attention stays fixed on Lionel Messi’s future after his MLS Cup triumph and the looming question of how long he will continue at both club and national‑team level. At the same time, World Cup 2026 storylines are ramping up worldwide as Brazil, France, and other giants study their newly drawn groups and travel plans, with local organizers in U.S. host cities highlighting blockbuster matchups and ticket demand.

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