Magic Messi Says Goodbye to Spanish Friends

The end of an era for two Spanish greats. Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets marked their final game in professional football with yet more silverware, not that the trophy cabinet was ever short of accolades.

The Inter Miami Show

It wouldn't be a cup final involving Messi without the Argentinian having his say on proceedings. Two assists, including one for his partner in crime Rodrigo de Paul, were integral to securing Inter Miami their first MLS Cup title.

Inter Miami delivered a double sucker-punch late into the second half to secure a 3-1 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps in Fort Lauderdale. Victory here wrapped up a 58 game calendar season, allowing The Goat some time to rest up ahead of what is likely to be his last World Cup competition in June. A significant talking point of the occasion was the last dance for two football greats. Safe to say that they have solidified their names in a short but sweet Inter Miami history.

Two legends of the game 🌟🌟

🏆 #IconOfTheMatch @RoyalCaribbean pic.twitter.com/2B8PuFVZdM

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 7, 2025

**Two Accomplished Greats **

You won't need reminding about the great Barcelona sides that were guaranteed to have these two week in and week out. Busquets takes the bragging rights over his teammate regarding accolades; being a part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2010 deserves some notice.

Regardless, LaLiga dominance, Champions League winners, and European Champions are just some of the shared milestones achieved by the pair. While they may have a certain magician to thank for his part in this glory, both should be recognised as two of the greatest to have ever played the game.

Though the retirement seems all said and done, you can't help but think that both had more left in the tank after strong seasons in their sides' paths to glory. Alba claimed six goals and 14 assists in 36 appearances, three of these assists coming in the MLS Playoff Rounds. Meanwhile, Busquets has been evergreen in the Miami midfield. I can't think of a player who has ever been more press-resistant than the Spaniard. The YouTube compilations go crazy.

Sergio Busquets. Press resistant. 🧠🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/PIxbZ6x98f

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 30, 2025

Miami's Magic Man

While his friends have departed the show, the star is certainly not bowing out, having extended his contract with the club this year until the conclusion of the 2028 season.

Fans around the world will certainly be hoping that Messi sticks around for that long and if this season is anything to go by, we might have the first footballer to never retire on our hands. The 38-year-old was integral in his side's route to cup glory. Just the six goals and seven assists (trying to resist the reference here) in the playoffs helped to see off Nashville SC in a three-game series, before going on to beat Cincinnati and NYCFC on their way to the final.

In case you needed telling, this was enough for Messi to be crowned finals MVP, as much as I've never taken him for an NBA player. He extended his trophy count to 48, establishing dominance in Spain, France, and now America as the most decorated player in football history.

An Inter Miami side that was stagnated towards the bottom of the MLS table before Messi and co. came around are now established Champions of America. As far as goodbyes go, the Barcelona band playing one last tune is quite the fairy tale ending.

MISSION. COMPLETE. INTER MIAMI AND LIONEL MESSI HAVE CONQUERED AMERICA, THE MLS CUP BELONGS TO THEM 🤯👏🦩 pic.twitter.com/ZEECDLc15M

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) December 6, 2025