The win capped a remarkable rise for the franchise Beckham began shaping more than a decade ago. The former England captain, joined in his Miami suite by wife Victoria and their children Romeo and Cruz, celebrated the landmark moment though eldest son Brooklyn was absent.

When Beckham retired in 2013, his MLS contract included the right to establish a new franchise at a discounted fee. Miami was his choice, but the path to making it reality proved long and complicated. It would take until 2018 for the team to be formally launched after partnering with local businessmen Jorge and Jose Mas. Even then, a permanent stadium plan lagged behind.

Inter Miami began playing in 2020. Messi’s sensational arrival midway through the 2023 season changed everything on the field, in the league’s global profile, and in the club’s ambition. “It’s been an incredible journey,” Beckham reflected after the final.

The 38-year-old superstar, last season’s MLS MVP and a frontrunner to repeat, was once again the catalyst. With the match poised at 2–1, Messi threaded a pinpoint pass through a tangle of Whitecaps defenders to set up Rodrigo De Paul for the title-clinching goal in the 72nd minute.

In stoppage time, Messi supplied another assist for Tadeo Allende, sealing a 3–1 win as pink shirts leapt and roared around the stadium. Fans that have long supported Miami’s NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL teams now have a soccer champion to celebrate.

As the final whistle blew and confetti erupted, Messi lifted yet another trophy the 47th of his extraordinary career, extending his all-time record. He has now won more than 20 finals alongside several familiar faces: Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez and Coach Javier Mascherano, all former Barcelona teammates.

Busquets and Alba, both retiring at season’s end, bowed out as champions. Suárez has yet to decide whether he will continue. Mascherano, meanwhile, is credited with reshaping the team’s style mid-season in his first year as manager.

Messi’s contract could keep him at the club into his early 40s, and Inter Miami will move into a new stadium near Miami International Airport next season with ambitions of defending their crown.

Beckham insisted that Messi’s motivation is clear “He’s not here just to enjoy life in Miami. His family loves it, but he came to win that’s who he is. His commitment to his teammates and to this city is unbelievable. Leo is a winner, simple as that.”