Thomas Muller has expressed his opinion on Vancouver Whitecaps's chances of defeating Lionel Messi' Inter Miami in the MLS Cup final. The two teams will lock horns for the blockbuster game on Saturday, December 6, at the home ground of Inter Miami, Chase Stadium.
Thomas Muller backs Vancouver but notes Inter Miami's danger
It is the first appearance of Vancouver and Miami in the MLS Cup final, with Thomas Muller and Lionel Messi set to cross paths for the first time outside European football. Both teams last faced each other in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup in April and May, with the Canadian champions defeating the Herons in both legs.
Even after Vancouver's strong record against their Eastern Conference opponents, Muller does not think they will have an easy game against Miami in today's final.
“What are our chances to win?” The former Bayern Munich star interjected after teammate Sebastian Berhalter suggested focusing on the game and not the venue. “10%? 20? Or less?" he continued. "But there is a chance?”
After getting a positive response, Muller grinned:
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Speaking further, Muller said that Major League Soccer (MLS) are trying to showcase the final clash between him and Messi. He continued:
“I know for you guys in the media and also MLS, it makes sense to make a point with Messi and myself and the bigger names, but it is about two teams with a very attractive and good-looking playing style. It's always nice to meet old friends. We are not really close, but I always watched them. They were great players - some of them still are.”
Lionel Messi opens up on MLS Cup final clash with Thomas Muller
Lionel Messi anticipated a blockbuster MLS Cup final clash with Thomas Muller, who joined Vancouver Whitecaps from Bayern Munich in August. The Inter Miami skipper admitted Vancouver's strength and said that the addition of Muller has made them stronger.
“It is very nice that he has come to play in MLS and the repercussions that this represents,” Messi told MLS Season Pass on Thursday. “It’s good that this final came to be and that we can face each other again.”
“We have already faced Vancouver and we know what kind of team they are. In fact, they eliminated us. It was also a very consistent team throughout the year that finished among the top teams and competed in all competitions until the end, just as we did,” Messi added.
“We know it's going to be a very, very tough game, and the addition of Müller coming to that team makes them much better still. It brings more awareness to the game, to the team, and it will be a very, very special final, which we hope will be in our favor.”
Thomas Muller's strong record against Lionel Messi
Thomas Muller and Lionel Messi last locked horns when Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich faced off in the Champions League on March 8, 2023. Across their 10 meetings, Muller edged out the clash, holding a record of seven victories compared to Messi's three.