Light and shadow among MLS stars: Thomas Müller celebrates goal gala and Lionel Messi makes a fool of himself

Light and shadow among MLS stars Thomas Müller celebrates goal gala and Lionel Messi makes a fool of himself 14.09.2025, 06:59 Uhr

Thomas Müller's beard is new, but his goal-scoring threat is familiar. With a hat trick, he played a decisive role in the Vancouver Whitecaps' biggest win ever. Things were significantly worse for Lionel Messi.

Three goals in a historic goal-scoring gala and playoff qualification with the Vancouver Whitecaps: Thomas Müller's 36th birthday couldn't have gone better. With his Canadian team, the outstanding 2014 World Cup winners achieved the biggest victory in the club's history with a 7-0 (4-0) victory over the Philadelphia Union in the North American Major League Soccer.

"It feels really good. A perfect evening," enthused Müller, who recently sported a distinctive beard. With 52 points, the Whitecaps have now booked their ticket to the knockout rounds of the Western Conference.

Müller converted two penalties (29th minute/45th+1) and added a header shortly before the final whistle (88th minute) – his second, third, and fourth goals in his third MLS match. He had already scored from the penalty spot, scoring his first goal in the 3-2 win against St. Louis.

Messi and Inter Miami go down in Cincinnati

The former international also provided the perfect assist for the Whitecaps' fifth goal. Emmanuel Sabbi curled Müller's pass into the net (61'). The Italian-born striker had also previously made it 2-0 (24'), while Mathías Laborda had also scored Vancouver's first goal (18'). 17-year-old Rayan Elloumi made it 6-0 with a header (80').

The Whitecaps' campaign continues on Tuesday (local time) in the Canadian Championship, a competition exclusively for Canadian teams. In the semifinal second leg, Müller's team will face Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League. The first leg ended 2-2 in mid-August without the German.

Since his move, Müller has been one of the MLS's flagship players, but by no means the only one. Superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami suffered a resounding 3-0 (0-1) defeat in Cincinnati, missing a penalty with the score tied at 0-0 in the 32nd minute. Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina easily saved his Panenka-style effort. Miami is now in danger of missing the MLS playoffs.