Ultimate American showdown: Messi vs Muller

The icons of European football in the ultimate American showdown. It sounds like a plot of a Hollywood movie, but it's reality, as Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps, led by Thomas Muller, will face each other in five days, battling for the MLS title.

Either side's semi-final tasks were as mild as it gets.

Leo and Co. dismantled New York City 5-1 behind Tadeo Allende's hat-trick, and Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia's goals. The Argentinian legend didn't have to exert himself too much, recording just one assist.

On the other hand, the Canadian team brushed aside San Diego 3-1, thanks to Brian White's brace and Pablo Sisniega's own goal, while Muller clocked an hour on the pitch.

Just a month ago, Inter were struggling in the first round of playoffs after finishing third in the Eastern Conference, and now they are close to their maiden MLS title.

Old GOATs looking like youngsters - Ronaldo's bicycle and Messi's hat-trick of asissts

On the other hand, Vancouver were second in the West, but went through by the skin of their teeth, beating Los Angeles FC on penalties in the quarter-finals of the playoffs. Interestingly, just like the Florida franchise, the Whitecaps have neither triumphed nor played in the MLS final before this season.

In prospect, Messi's crew looks much stronger with Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo de Paul, while Muller doesn't seem to have an adequate - or at least distinguished - support. Yet, anything can happen in a single-legged final.

The two teams have met three times so far. Last year in the MLS, Inter triumphed 2-1, while Vancouver topped the Miami side in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals 5-1 on aggregate seven months ago.