Photo by Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

Lionel Messi vs Thomas Muller Stats Compared Before Inter Miami-Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Cup Final

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Manuel Meza Cienfuegos | Last updated Dec 6, 2025 9:30 AM ET

Everything is set for the 2025 MLS Cup. Inter Miami CF hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC this Saturday, Dec. 6, at Chase Stadium.

The two players who capture the spotlight are Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller, as their rivalry dates back years, when the Argentine played for FC Barcelona and the German for Bayern Munich. It is a good time for a statistical comparison.

This season, Messi, 38, has 42 goals and 23 assists in 44 games, excluding the FIFA World Cup. The Herons' number 10 has a ratio of 1.48 goal contributions per game during this campaign.

For his part, Muller, 36, has nine goals and four assists in 12 games with Whitecaps FC in his first campaign in Canada. That is a ratio of 1.08 goal contributions per game. Not bad.

Category	Lionel Messi	Thomas Muller
Age	38	36
Club (current season)	Inter Miami	Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2025 Season	42 goals, 23 assists in 44 games	9 goals, 4 assists in 12 games
Goal Contributions per Game (2025)	1.48	1.08
Career Games (club only)	927	771
Career Goals (club only)	775	260
Career Goals per Game	0.84	0.34

According to data from FotMob, these are the historical numbers for both players. For Messi, considering Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona, he has played 927 games and scored 775 goals. That is a goals per game ratio of 0.84.

For Muller, considering Vancouver and Bayern, he has played 771 games and scored 260 goals. With a goals per game ratio of 0.34. It is very difficult to beat the player many consider the best in history.

All Set for the 2025 MLS Cup Final Between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps

Inter Miami will host Vancouver Whitecaps this Saturday, Dec. 6, at Chase Stadium for MLS Cup 2025. Messi’s team finally made it and will play in a Major League Soccer final, which, if won, would give it access to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and cement the club’s third title of the year.

The Herons reach this final after eliminating Nashville in the best-of-three round, with two wins (3-1 and 4-0) and one loss (2-1). In the Conference Semifinals, Javier Mascherano’s team routed FC Cincinnati 4-0, and in the Eastern Conference Final, Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 5-1.

Meanwhile, Vancouver reached this stage after sending FC Dallas home in the best-of-three round, with two results that advanced them (3-0 and a penalty shootout win after a 0-0) and then topping LAFC on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Semifinals. In the Western Conference Final, Jesper Sorensen’s team defeated San Diego FC 3-1 on the road.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: