In his illustrious career, which club has given Lionel Messi the most trouble? Or against which opponent has the Argentine superstar often stumbled? For many, the immediate answers are Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet, when examining Messi’s professional journey, it is Bayern Munich and Thomas Müller who have proven to be particularly thorny obstacles.
Football fans are now eagerly anticipating another high-profile Messi-Müller showdown. This Sunday, the MLS Cup Final will see Messi’s Inter Miami face Müller’s Vancouver Whitecaps. Remarkably, both clubs have reached the MLS Cup Final for the very first time in their history.
Vancouver Whitecaps secured their maiden final appearance by defeating San Diego 3–1, while Inter Miami cruised past New York City FC with an emphatic 5–1 victory to claim a spot in the final.
Ahead of the decisive clash, Müller, renowned for his tactical intelligence and psychological edge on the pitch, offered praise for his former adversary. The German attacking midfielder has repeatedly caused heartbreak for Messi, both at club and international level, and their rivalry spans over a decade.
In a pre-match interview with MLSsoccer.com, Müller did not mince words, acknowledging Messi as the greatest footballer in history. “Messi is the finest player our sport has ever seen. An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, his presence has boosted MLS viewership and added immense value to the game. The more people watch him, the more it elevates the player, his team, and the league itself,” he said.
Statistically, Müller has the upper hand in their encounters. Out of ten meetings, Müller has triumphed seven times, while Messi has emerged victorious on just three occasions. Memories of the 2014 World Cup final, where Müller once again overshadowed him, still linger for the Argentine icon.
Yet, Müller downplayed personal rivalry ahead of the MLS Cup. The 36-year-old emphasised that the final is about Inter Miami versus Vancouver Whitecaps, not Messi versus Thomas Müller. “This isn’t Messi against Thomas Müller. It’s Miami versus the Whitecaps. Miami may rely heavily on him, but Vancouver is a real team—we function as a unit,” Müller stated.