“Thomas is a great person, a great player, and beyond that, he is always looking to improve and contribute to the team,” Laborda said when asked about Muller by Bolavip during a media session in Spanish.

After 17 fruitful seasons with Bayern Munich and holding an impressive resume with the German national team, including a World Cup win in 2014, Muller made an immediate impact in Vancouver by helping the Whitecaps reach the MLS Cup final last year.

“He also spends a lot of time sitting down to talk with us individually, trying to help us improve and grow, and I think that adds a lot to his personality as well,” Laborda added on his teammate.

This year, Muller boasts two goals in five MLS matches as the Whitecaps aim to redeem themselves from last year’s loss to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the decider.

Laborda looks up to Godin, Lugano

Laborda remains a key contributor for the Whitecaps in their quest for the title, with a goal and two assists in four appearances so far. When asked about his role models, the Uruguayan named iconic names from his country.

“In defense there are many; I can mention, for example, back when he played, (Diego) Godin, (Diego) Lugano himself, all the historic players of the (Uruguay) national team,” Laborda said.

Bruno Caicedo looking to make a name for himself in MLS

Behind an established player like Laborda and a veteran star like Muller, there are rising players working to earn their place. One of them is Ecuadorian winger Bruno Caicedo, who joined Vancouver in January from Barcelona SC.

Even though he’s still adjusting to the league, Caicedo has already been impressed by some players in the league, with LAFC sensation Denis Bouanga catching his eye.

“Bouanga, honestly, he is very good,” said Caicedo when Bolavip asked him about the MLS players he looks up to.

Caicedo also mentioned watching fellow countryman Allen Obando during his time with Messi’s Inter Miami in 2025: “But aside from that, I admire everyone equally: there’s Leo (Messi), Son, Thomas (Muller)—they’re players who have won everything.“

“It would be an interesting project from my point of view if he were there,” Muller stated in an interview with Magenta TV on December 26, 2025, when asked about Messi’s potential presence in the upcoming tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

However, the German veteran noted that Messi’s inclusion could represent a double-edged sword for Argentina, pointing to the stark contrast between the pace of MLS and the demands of elite international soccer.

“That could, of course, change the whole balance of the team—for better or for worse,” Muller remarked regarding Messi’s call-up. He further compared the levels of competition, adding: “When he got the ball [in the MLS final], he just absolutely burst into life in the right areas and initiated a lot of things. I doubt quite a bit that it would work like that off the cuff at the top international level”.

Muller about Germany’s run at the 2026 World Cup

Following Germany’s triumph at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the European powerhouse suffered two consecutive group-stage exits, marking a significant disappointment for one of the world’s footballing giants.

Now retired from the international stage, the Bayern Munich legend commented on the European side’s first opponents in the 2026 World Cup: “At first glance, reading the names of the rivals, it is obvious that advancing is imperative”.

“Curaçao is a blind spot on the soccer map. With Ivory Coast, we have the African champion, and with Ecuador, the runner-up of the South American qualifying stage,” he analyzed regarding Germany’s opponents in the first round.

The home team had started the grand final on the right foot, scoring an early own goal off Edier Ocampo eight minutes into the match, and managed to hold that advantage until halftime. In the second half, the Whitecaps came out with a completely different mentality and, after much pressing to find the equalizer, they achieved it in the 60th minute with a goal from Ali Ahmed, assisted slightly by goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo, who couldn’t hold the shot.

However, with only a few minutes remaining, the Argentine captain appeared when his team needed him most. He assisted Rodrigo De Paul in a brilliant combination that resulted in the 2-1 goal, breaking the tie and unleashing the delirium of the fans who packed every section of Chase Stadium. With the game now in their favor, Tadeo Allende scored the definitive 3-1 goal, securing Inter Miami’s first-ever MLS title.

Following the match, the German captain took to social media to post a message of thanks to all the fans, especially those who traveled from Canada to Florida to watch the Whitecaps attempt to win the first MLS title in franchise history. “Thank you to all Whitecaps fans for the great support,” Muller wrote in an Instagram story before sharing a longer message for the fans.

Muller still leads the head-to-head against Messi

Despite losing the final, in terms of the head-to-head history with Messi, Muller comfortably remains ahead of the Argentine, having won in seven encounters and lost in four.

The last time they had faced each other in a final was the 2014 World Cup, where Germany secured the win at the Maracana Stadium after defeating Argentina 1-0 with an agonizing extra-time goal from Mario Gotze.

Inter Miami‘s victory served as a break for Messi, who had been on a four-game losing streak against Thomas Muller in their recent Champions League matchups. The Argentine’s last victory in the rivalry had been in the first leg of the 2015 Champions League Semifinal, where Barcelona defeated Bayern Munich 3-0, featuring an excellent performance by Messi who scored a brace.

Messi will fight against his presumed kryptonite in Muller. According to Apple TV, in 10 games where both players have faced each other, Muller has a 7-3 record over the Argentinian. That’s the best record of any player against Messi with minimum 10 games played.

The Herons come into this game after a 5-1 win against New York City FC to win the Eastern Conference Final. On the flip side, Vancouver defeated San Diego 3-1 to win the Western Conference.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup vs Vancouver

Javier Mascherano will keep his steady lineup in a 4-3-3 formation. The confirmed lineup is: Rios Novo; Fray, Falcon, Allen, Alba; Busquets, De Paul, Rodriguez; Allende, Messi, Silvetti.

Of course, this would mark a third time that striker Luis Suarez will be benched. Since serving a two-game suspension, Mascherano has benched Suarez but Inter Miami has done well with that move.

Vancouver Whitecaps confirmed lineup vs Inter Miami

The Whitecaps employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, much more modern. This is how Vancouver will line up: Takaoka; Ocampo, Priso, Blackmon, Laborda; Cubas, Berhalter; Sabbi, Muller, Ahmed; White.

Vancouver has very good transitions and Muller is scoring left and right at this point. Inter Miami has a very experienced roster but the speed is not precisely the team’s biggest strength. That’s where Vancouver could create damage.

Messi and Muller have faced each other 10 times across club and international competitions. The record currently favors the German star, who has won seven of those meetings, while Messi has claimed the remaining three. Their battles span more than a decade of high-stakes moments and some of the most memorable matches in modern soccer.

At the club level, all of their meetings came in the UEFA Champions League, with Muller representing Bayern Munich and Messi playing for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. In six encounters, Muller won five, including the historic 8–2 result that marked the toughest defeat of Messi’s career. Messi’s lone club victory came in the 2014–15 semifinal, a 3–0 win that eventually led Barcelona to lift the Champions League trophy.

On the international stage, the record is even at two wins each. However, the weight of those results differs significantly: Muller and Germany claimed victories in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals and the 2014 World Cup final, while Messi and Argentina earned their wins in friendlies. In short, the German holds a commanding edge in competitive matches. Messi now looks to close that gap and cement another chapter in his legacy.

Messi’s recent record against Muller and the Whitecaps

Muller has won the last four head-to-head meetings between the two stars, and Messi’s recent record against Vancouver brings little comfort. He has faced the Whitecaps twice in his career—both in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals—and lost both times. On Saturday, the Inter Miami captain aims to flip the script.

How did they reach the final?

On Saturday, November 30, Inter Miami secured their place in the final by winning the Eastern Conference title with a commanding 5–1 victory over New York City FC. Later that night, the Whitecaps followed suit, defeating San Diego FC 3–1 at Snapdragon Stadium, setting up another high-profile showdown between Messi and Muller.

Now, Messi and Thomas Muller meet again as rivals, this time with Inter Miami hosting the 2025 MLS Cup Final against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, December 6. With another trophy at stake, the Argentine and German superstars are set to write a new chapter in one of the most compelling individual matchups of their era.

Muller‘s adaptation to the league has been seamless, as he has recorded seven goals and three assists in just seven appearances. This output makes the German the new leader on the league’s goals-per-90-minute chart, averaging an explosive 1.16 goals per game, narrowly eclipsing Messi’s 1.08 and Son Heung-min’s 1.00 for LAFC.

The experienced 36-year-old German striker decided to leave Bayern Munich—where he spent his entire career—to immerse himself in a new experience in MLS. Despite initial questions about how he would adapt to the Canadian club, his statistics over the last two months prove adaptation was not an issue.

Muller has now played nine matches for the Whitecaps across all competitions, registering nine goals and four assists, leading Vancouver deep into the Playoffs. In Game 1 against Dallas, he scored the second goal via a penalty in the 3-0 rout, and the team will look to seal passage to the next round this Saturday, November 1st, in Game 2.

Muller outpaces Messi in another stat

Muller’s goal-scoring prowess did not stop at the goals-per-90-minute mark; he also eclipsed Messi in penalty statistics. In his nine games with the Whitecaps, the German forward has converted six penalties on six attempts, surpassing the Inter Miami captain, who has converted four penalties in his 84 appearances with the club.

Messi has taken five penalties for the Florida side, missing only once in a 3-0 loss against Charlotte FC during the MLS regular season. However, in their total career statistics, the Argentine holds a significant advantage in penalties scored:

• Messi: Has scored 114 penalties, with 32 misses (across Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami, and Argentina).
• Muller: Has scored 36 penalties, with eight misses (across Bayern Munich and Vancouver Whitecaps).

The disparity in attempts is clear, but Muller was not the designated penalty taker during much of his time in Germany. With the role now firmly his in MLS, his scoring output will likely continue to climb impressively.

The German legend delivered a performance for the ages, scoring a memorable hat trick to become the first player in MLS history to net three goals in a regular-season match on his birthday.

Muller’s goals came at decisive moments of the match. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 30th minute, added another from 12 yards in first-half stoppage time (45+1’), and capped off the night with the team’s seventh goal in the 88th minute. His composure under pressure highlighted his ability to deliver in big moments, even in the latter stages of his career.

With this emphatic result, Vancouver secured three crucial points in its chase for first place in the standings. It now sits in third with 52 points, just four points off the top spot, and will look to keep climbing in the coming weeks.

How many does Messi have at Inter Miami?

Since joining Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has continued his prolific scoring run and brought his trademark magic to MLS. In a pivotal 2025 season clash, the Argentine star recorded his first hat trick for the club against the New England Revolution. Played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Inter Miami earned a 4-1 win, with Messi reminding everyone that his killer instinct remains as sharp as ever.

This hat trick adds to Messi’s already legendary tally of more than 50 career hat tricks, further cementing his status as one of the greatest scorers in soccer history. Each of his MLS goals has been met with fanfare, and this latest feat only enhances his global legacy.

Though that was his first and unique official hat trick for Inter Miami, Messi has consistently delivered multi-goal performances for the club. His finishing touch has been instrumental in the Herons success, leading them to their first-ever title and keeping them competitive in every tournament they play.

In an interview with MLS’ official channel, the Vancouver Whitecaps forward made it clear that, for him, Messi is the greatest player the sport has ever seen. Muller did acknowledge Ronaldo’s greatness, but ultimately sided with the Argentine.

The German reflected on his many battles against Messi while playing for Bayern Munich, a rivalry that produced both triumphs and setbacks. He admitted he doesn’t know how Bayern managed to contain Messi in certain matches, while also recalling painful defeats against Barcelona.

“In the end I don’t know how it worked so well. We had big defeats against Barcelona, in 2015 when they won the Champions League that was one of them, but in the end I don’t know how we did it. But to be honest, for me, Messi is the greatest player we’ve ever had in this sport,” said the 2014 World Cup winner.

Muller on why he picks Messi over Ronaldo

Although Muller now favors Messi, he admitted that wasn’t always the case. Early in his career, he leaned toward Ronaldo. But over the years, his perspective shifted from pure performance to playing style, and Messi’s elegance ultimately won him over.

“We’ve always had this discussion about Cristiano or Messi, both are incredible, but I think Messi has always been a little more elegant in his style of play. I think in my first ten years as a professional I leaned more toward Cristiano if there was ever a debate, but now being a little older and more ‘romantic,’ I go more for style than just performance. And then Messi won the World Cup with Argentina, so now I lean toward him,” Muller admitted.

Muller: A formidable challenge for Messi

Muller’s history against Messi’s Barcelona is nothing short of outstanding. The German forward tallied eight goals and contributed two assists in 10 clashes with the Spanish powerhouse, with seven victories for Muller and only three for Messi. In addition, the German met Messi two more times during the Argentine’s stint at PSG, earning back-to-back victories in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Champions League.

On the international stage, Muller has twice shattered Messi’s World Cup ambitions. The first blow came in the 2010 quarterfinals, when Germany dismantled Argentina 4-0. Four years later, on Brazilian soil, Muller played an influential role in the 2014 World Cup final as Germany edged Argentina 1-0, snatching the trophy and denying Messi what could have been his maiden world title.

In a recent MLS interview, Thomas Muller made some intriguing choices by selecting Brian White, Andres Cubas, Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, and Lionel Messi. Fans were taken aback by the inclusion of White and Cubas, as Muller chuckled with the interviewer, showcasing his well-known playful personality. The nod to the Whitecaps was a pleasant surprise for many. Yet, the most startling decision was excluding Cristiano Ronaldo while opting for Lionel Messi.

Throughout his professional career, Muller has actively participated in the GOAT debate, often shifting his perspective. Initially, he favored Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi, citing his own lesser success against the Portuguese star compared to his experiences with the Argentine. However, this perspective evolved in 2023. In an interview with DAZN, he declared the Inter Miami star as his choice for the greatest of all time.

How has Thomas Muller really performed against Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

The new Whitecaps star faced formidable challenges when competing against Cristiano Ronaldo. During his time with Bayern Munich, Thomas Muller clashed with the Portuguese icon in 10 matches. He managed to secure victory in five of those, endured four defeats, and drew once. These encounters underscored the fierce competition in both UEFA Champions League and international games.

In contrast, Muller enjoyed greater success against Lionel Messi. In their 10 encounters, he dominated, winning seven times and losing only three. His superiority was evident in most matchups. Noteworthy moments include the stunning 8-2 victory in the 2019-20 Champions League quarter-finals and the pivotal 1-0 triumph with the German national team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final game.

When will Thomas Muller make his long-awaited debut with the Vancouver Whitecaps?

Thomas Muller’s official announcement with the Vancouver Whitecaps came on August 13, 2025, but fans might not have to wait long to see the German star in MLS action. Head coach Jesper Sorensen confirmed that Muller will play in Sunday’s game against the Houston Dynamo on August 17, though he did not specify whether he will be in the starting lineup or come off the bench.

Despite his recent arrival, Muller brings a wealth of competitive experience to the Whitecaps. He recently played with FC Bayern Munich in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and logged significant minutes with the German national team throughout the 2024-25 season. Given his extensive experience and current form, Thomas could quickly adapt and become a game-changer for the team.

Since arriving in the United States, Lionel Messi has helped attract veteran stars to MLS, with one of the most recent being Rodrigo De Paul, who joined Inter Miami. Now, Thomas Muller, who has officially said goodbye to Bayern Munich, is another star set to join Major League Soccer.

The German midfielder left Bayern Munich after competing in the Club World Cup this summer, marking the end of his 25-year stint with the club. He joined the Bavarians at only age 10, playing his way throughout the youth ranks to the first team.

Muller is, of course, a familiar rival to Messi. He played a key role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup–winning squad, which defeated Argentina in the final. He was also part of the team that eliminated La Albiceleste with a 4–0 win in the 2010 quarterfinals.

In total, Messi and Muller have faced each other nine times, including Champions League matches, both during the Argentine’s time at Barcelona and PSG. Of those encounters, Muller emerged victorious on eight occasions.

The 35-year-old star announced his move to MLS through a lighthearted video shared on his social media, where he reenacts a Western. In the clip, he says he’s making “a jump across the pond,” referring to his upcoming move across the Atlantic.

The Vancouver Whitecaps are emerging as the top destination

According to Tom Bogert and Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport, the Vancouver Whitecaps are finalizing a deal to sign Muller. The club has reached an agreement to acquire Muller’s MLS discovery rights from FC Cincinnati.

Cincinnati will reportedly receive up to $400,000 in General Allocation Money as part of the deal. While Cincy held Müller’s rights and had made an offer to sign him earlier this summer, the club was unable to open a Designated Player (DP) slot.

So, their top offer, just under $2 million, wasn’t enough to convince the German star. Per the report, Muller won’t occupy a DP spot for Vancouver this season but is expected to become one in 2026.

This move marks Muller’s first club outside of Bayern Munich, where he made 752 appearances, scoring 250 goals and providing 237 assists. He won 33 trophies with the club, including two UEFA Champions League titles.

Neither Müller nor Musiala is believed to be carrying an injury, leading to speculation that head coach Vincent Kompany has opted for a tactical adjustment or is managing minutes in a demanding tournament schedule. The German champions boast considerable depth, but leaving two of their most experienced and dynamic playmakers on the bench is sure to prompt further scrutiny—especially if the match doesn’t go their way.

Kompany may look to introduce both players off the bench depending on how the match unfolds. Bayern began the tournament in dominant form, routing Auckland City 10–0, but Boca present a very different challenge with their organized backline and fierce competitive spirit.

How Boca Juniors enter the match

Boca Juniors come into this critical clash under pressure after a 2–2 draw with Benfica in their tournament opener. While they showed moments of promise, defensive lapses and missed opportunities proved costly. Now, with Bayern Munich looming, Boca must elevate their performance if they want to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Adding to the challenge is the absence of veteran striker Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan star is sidelined after aggravating a previous calf injury, which has extended his recovery timeline. Although Cavani has been eager to return, he has not resumed full training with the squad. Boca’s medical staff remains hopeful he could be available for the final group-stage match against Auckland City on June 24.

Confirmed lineups

Bayern Munich head into the match without Thomas Müller and Jamal Musiala in their starting XI—two key absences that immediately drew attention. Head coach Vincent Kompany has opted for a rotated squad, with an eye on managing player fitness amid a packed tournament schedule.

Bayern’s confirmed starting lineup: Manuel Neuer; Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, Josip Stanišić, Raphaël Guerreiro; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman; Harry Kane.

On the other side, Boca Juniors—missing Edinson Cavani up front—will line up as follows: Agustín Marchesín; Luis Advíncula, Lautaro Di Lollo, Nicolás Valentini, Lautaro Blanco; Rodrigo Battaglia, Esteban Rolón, Kevin Zenón; Alan Velasco, Carlos Palacios; Miguel Merentiel.