Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to Campeones Cup title with 100th goal

09:10

Lionel Messi reached another landmark in his remarkable career on Wednesday, scoring his 100th goal for Inter Miami and helping the Florida club defeat Cruz Azul 2-0 to lift the Campeones Cup.

The Argentine forward opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a header from a Luis Suárez delivery before turning provider late in the match. His corner in the 81st minute found Casemiro, whose header secured the trophy for Inter Miami.

The victory also marked the club’s first Campeones Cup title and added another piece of silverware to a collection that has grown rapidly since Messi arrived in 2023. Inter Miami had previously won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and the MLS Cup in 2025.

A milestone with a familiar opponent

Messi’s 100th Inter Miami goal came against the same opponent that featured in the beginning of his scoring record with the club.

His first goal for Inter Miami came against Cruz Azul in July 2023, when he scored a stoppage-time free kick during his debut. Three years later, he reached the century mark against the Mexican side, doing so in his 115th appearance for the club across all competitions.

The nature of the milestone goal was also unusual for a player more often associated with his left foot. Messi rose inside the penalty area to meet Suárez’s delivery and headed the ball beyond Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier.

Messi and Suárez combine again

The opening goal highlighted the enduring connection between Messi and Suárez, former Barcelona teammates who have reunited in Miami.

Suárez supplied the cross that created the opening, while Messi provided the decisive finish. Later, Messi played a different role, delivering the corner from which Casemiro doubled the advantage.

Cruz Azul threatened at stages after the interval, but Inter Miami maintained its lead before Casemiro’s late goal settled the contest. Major League Soccer noted that the result also brought MLS level with Liga MX at four victories apiece in the history of the Campeones Cup.

Another trophy in Miami

Since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami has collected a major trophy in each of the last four seasons: the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, the MLS Cup in 2025 and now the Campeones Cup in 2026.

The latest success came in the first match under new head coach Cristian “Kily” González, who took charge after the departure of Javier Mascherano earlier this year.

For Messi, meanwhile, the night combined a personal statistical milestone with another club title. Major League Soccer also named him the match’s Most Valuable Player after his goal and assist.

International career enters its final phase

Messi’s club achievements come as he approaches the end of his international career with Argentina.

He has announced his retirement from international football and is scheduled to make his final appearance for the national team on October 6 in Buenos Aires, in a friendly against Benin. He remains Argentina’s all-time leading scorer, with 125 international goals, according to Reuters.

His next chapter will therefore continue to unfold primarily at club level, where his latest performance has added another milestone to an already extensive record.