Days before MLS Cup final, Thomas Muller suggests Inter Miami rely too much on Lionel Messi in comparison with himself at Vancouver Whitecaps

Ahead of the MLS Cup final, Thomas Muller claimed Inter Miami are more reliant on Lionel Messi than Vancouver Whitecaps are on him, describing the Canadian champions as ‘such a good group.’

Muller and Messi will renew their rivalry when Vancouver and Inter Miami lock horns in the MLS Cup final on Saturday, December 6. The Herons secured their first-ever MLS Cup final appearance after thrashing New York City FC 5-1 in the Eastern Conference final. Elsewhere, Vancouver ran out 3-1 winners against San Diego FC to become Western Conference Champions.

Just like Miami, it’s Vancouver’s first appearance in the MLS Cup final, and both Messi and Muller will look to add to their trophy cabinets.

“It's not about Messi against Thomas Müller; it's Miami against the Whitecaps,” Muller told the MLS website. “Maybe they rely a little bit more on him than we do on me, because we are such a good group, you know what I mean?

“The nice thing about it is not only playing against the greatest player who played our game and is still playing our game, but it's more that, I think, when you have a pairing like this, more people are watching,” the former Bayern Munich star continued. “If more people are watching, the value also for you as a player, as an individual, also for your team and also for your franchise, is way bigger.”

To date, Thomas Muller and Lionel Messi have played against each other 10 times, with Muller getting the better of the Inter Miami forward. Muller has won seven of those meetings compared to Messi’s three.

Thomas Muller ready to face Lionel Messi in MLS Cup final

After Vancouver’s 3-1 win against San Diego FC on Sunday, November 30, Thomas Muller admitted that his wish to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami came true after both teams set up a clash in the MLS Cup final.

Muller told Apple TV after the game:

“I know you want to talk about history, maybe for Apple TV it would be nice if I said a tough line or anything else. But, I enjoy watching him and I have the feeling that Inter Miami is a very strong team. We saw them today beating New York [City FC] in quite a really strong manner. Yea, I think it's a big final. I wish for this final. Here we go! Here we go! I think it is great for everyone.”

Upon completing his move to the Major League Soccer (MLS), Thomas Muller fired a warning to Lionel Messi, telling the Barcelona legend will hunt him again.