It was the stars and big names of Inter Miami against the blue collar mentality of Vancouver. Miami has Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez. Mascherano himself is a name that still resonates loudly in the football world. The Whitecaps star man? American center forward Brian White, as unheralded a hero as they come.

When Messi joined the Herons in July 2023, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a two and a half year contract that is set to expire at the end of the year. Messi and Inter Miami did not come to a new agreement before the start of the 2025 MLS season, but they are now close to inking a new deal.