DAVID BECKHAM'S DREAM: INTER MIAMI COMPLETES ASCENT, WINS FIRST MLS CUP
David Beckham's dream is realised as Miami wins the MLS Cup. The title seals a perfect farewell for retiring legends Busquets and Alba.
Inter Miami, with two assists from Lionel Messi, clinched its first MLS Cup title, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium.
Miami started strong, taking the lead in the eighth minute when Edier Ocampo, in an attempt to defend Tadeo Allende, scored an own goal.
Vancouver gained momentum toward the end of the first half, creating two good chances to tie the score.
Their first real shot came in the 38th minute, but goalkeeper Rocco Rios stopped Emmanuel Sabbi's close-range attempt.
Not long after that, Thomas Müller's header landed on the roof of the net.
Vancouver started the second half with energy, and Ali Ahmed's shot slipped under Rios' arm, levelling the score.
Vancouver almost took the lead when Sabbi's shot hit both posts, and his rebound was deflected off the woodwork.
But their joy was short-lived. Just 11 minutes later, Rodrigo de Paul met Messi's pass and coolly finished, putting Miami back ahead.
As Vancouver pushed for an equaliser in the final minutes, Miami hit them on the counterattack.
Messi chested down a long ball and flicked it to Allende, who slotted it through the legs of Vancouver keeper Yohei Takaoka.
We promised our fans we would deliver.
Inter Miami co-owner Sir David Beckham had dreamed of this day ever since he bought the team for $20 million from MLS, part of his deal when he joined the LA Galaxy in 2007.
Inter Miami joined MLS in 2020 but really got rolling as a team in 2018 and can now say they achieved the league's top honour.
All the emotion came out, Beckham said.
There were a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed in Miami. I found the right partners, and I knew anything was possible.
It says "freedom to dream" on our shirts, and we promised our fans we would deliver. Next year is a new year, but tonight we celebrate.
The arrival of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi in 2023 changed everything.
Miami invested to support Messi, signing former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in 2023 and Luis Suarez in 2024.
It took just seven games for Messi and company to win silverware. They beat Nashville to take the Leagues Cup in August 2023, Miami's first trophy.
In 2024, they won the Supporters' Shield and Eastern Conference title but fell short in the first round of the playoffs.
They made the playoffs again this season after finishing third in the Eastern Conference, winning each of the three rounds by at least four goals on aggregate.
In October, Messi committed to Miami until 2028 as the team aims to use this momentum.
Busquets and Alba have played their final game, and head coach Javier Mascherano, who picked up his first trophy as a manager, was happy to see them go out on top.
They deserve to finish their career this way, Mascherano said.
They won everything with different clubs, but they came here and changed the mentality at Inter Miami, along with Lionel Messi.
This goodbye is fantastic for them.
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
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Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.
BRAD FRIEDEL LABELS WESTON MCKENNIE THE "MOST TALENTED" USMNT PLAYER OVER PULISIC
Brad Friedel sparks debate by naming Weston McKennie as more talented than Christian Pulisic for the USMNT in 2026.
Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel doesn’t think Christian Pulisic is the top American player right now. In his eyes, Weston McKennie is the most talented option Mauricio Pochettino's got, even though Pulisic usually gets all the attention as “Captain America.”
Pulisic does have his fans, but he hasn’t scored for the national team since 2024 and was pretty quiet during the last international break. The US had a rough time, losing 5-2 to Belgium and 2-0 to Portugal. Those friendlies were supposed to get the team ready for big opponents at the 2026 World Cup, but honestly, they just brought up even more doubts. McKennie was one of the few players who actually looked up for it, and Friedel is absolutely convinced he’s the best talent the US has right now.
The team was missing some key names, too. Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Tyler Adams were all out. Richards made it back for the Portugal game, but Adams’ absence in midfield was impossible to ignore. Friedel says people are making too much of these recent defeats. He thinks you have to judge the team on how they do in big tournaments, especially this summer. Still, he admits Adams is the one who keeps everyone connected, and when he’s out there, it makes McKennie better, which ends up making life easier for Pulisic.
Pochettino has a headache picking his squad for the World Cup. He’s still not set on his goalkeeper, his defence, his midfield, or even the attack. According to Friedel, no matter who fills those spots, the USMNT’s hopes really come down to what McKennie and Adams bring to the table.
Talking to Express Sport via Oddspedia, Friedel said, “The U.S. has always needed all our best guys. We’ve never been the kind of team that can go 30 deep and not lose quality except in 2002. That was the only year when anyone could’ve started, and we wouldn’t have missed a beat. Tyler is the glue for the team. He doesn’t care if you’re seven feet tall; if you’re not pulling your weight, he’ll call you out. He’s just that type of player.”
Friedel went on, “I coached a lot of these guys when I ran the under-19s. Weston McKennie is, for me, the most talented footballer we have. He can do so many things, but he needs to be fit and focused. With Juventus this season, he’s looked sharp, and he’s carrying that form into the World Cup. If he’s got Tyler alongside him, no matter where Weston ends up playing, Tyler keeps him disciplined. You always get the best version of McKennie when Adams is on the field. If those two are fit and playing well, they open up the space that lets Christian do what he does best.”
Pochettino is staring down a huge challenge to get this team ready for the World Cup. He knows they’re nowhere near their peak, but he keeps insisting they’re not far off either. If Adams can stay healthy, something that’s been tough for him lately, that would take a lot of pressure off the coach. Without him, it shows. With him, everything just seems to fall into place.
