Sounders’ De La Vega Addresses Tense Moment with Messi During Leagues Cup Final

The Seattle Sounders celebrated their win in the 2025 Leagues Cup after a tough final against Inter Miami, which saw some heated moments between players and staff. One highlight was Pedro De la Vega, who discussed an exchange he had with Lionel Messi.

The Sounders won decisively, and De la Vega, named MVP of the tournament, had a tense moment with Messi and Rodrigo De Paul. The Argentine forward mentioned that emotions ran high during the match.

He later tried to ease the situation, saying, “Messi and De Paul? They are the greatest. They are world champions and my idols.” His comments showed admiration despite the on-field tensions.

In an interview with MLS’s official site, De la Vega remarked, “The clash was just part of the game. I tried to stay focused and not take it personally. Facing them as an Argentine carries a different kind of pressure.” His words illustrated the blend of personal and professional pride in such contests.

The final was intense, with both teams exchanging more than just physical plays. After the match, tensions ran high, leading to several confrontations. Messi, however, managed to stay out of most of the chaos and even tried to calm things down as players lost their tempers.

De la Vega reflects on his surprising achievement

Following the Sounders’ 3-0 victory, De la Vega was named the tournament’s best player, an accolade he did not anticipate. He credited his teammates for their collective effort and played down the significance of his individual accolade.

“Happy for the championship, happy for the team. Honestly, I didn’t expect the trophy. We are a group that works collectively, and I don’t think the individual stands out more than the team,” De la Vega noted. His comments highlighted the team’s strong bond.

De la Vega also reflected on the Sounders’ victory over the favored Inter Miami, saying, “We prepared well, we were able to push ourselves to play our game. Facing Miami and their skilled players was tough, but we found the goals.”

Meanwhile, Inter Miami faced criticism as Luis Suarez spat toward a Sounders’ staff member and Sergio Busquets threw a punch. Nonetheless, Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer later stated that this was part of the game and praised Miami for their sportsmanship overall.