Lionel Messi dedicated Inter Miami's MLS Cup triumph to Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba after the duo drew the curtain on their glittering professional careers. 

Miami clinched their first MLS Cup triumph with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, in what was their final game at Chase Stadium on Saturday.

Messi notched two assists in the second half for Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende, taking his tally for the 2025 season to 23, more than any player in the MLS. 

And while the Herons were celebrating a piece of history, their result also saw both Busquets and Alba end their respective careers with a trophy. 

Busquets' outing was his 831st in all competitions, while Alba played for the 677th and final time. Though Messi was caught up in the celebrations, he was quick to laud his former Barcelona team-mates.

"[It's] special because we also arrived here together from the beginning, the three of us, and the objective, as I said before, was this: to win this title, which is very important for the growth of the club," Messi told ESPN.

"And I'm truly happy that they can leave in this way, celebrating a title.

"They are the best friends. I love them very much. I'm grateful to have shared almost my entire career playing with them and ending it with them like this. I wish them the best."

Alba and Busquets joined Inter Miami alongside Messi in the summer of 2023, immediately winning the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy together.

They also went on to win the 2024 Supporters' Shield and set the league record for most points in a single season, though Alba had a significant impact.

Indeed, the left-back has registered 35 assists during his two-year stay in the United States, with only Victor Vazquez (37), Alejandro Pozuelo (40) and Carles Gil (91) registering more among Spanish players to have played in the competition.

Another former Barcelona player, Javier Mascherano, later joined his former team-mates when he was appointed head coach in November 2024.

"The joy and the power of saying goodbye to two football legends, in the best possible way, as they deserved, with a great send-off," said Mascherano.

"Two players have made history at this club, have completely transformed it along with Leo.

"They are part of the great history of this club, which is very short, very small, but that's what they came for, to change the course of this club.

"So I'm happy about that because I know what it meant for them to leave in this way."