Lionel Messi reached another major milestone on Wednesday night, scoring his 100th goal for Inter Miami as the club defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the 2026 Campeones Cup.
The Argentine opened the scoring in the 24th minute at Nu Stadium, rising to meet a precise cross from Luis Suárez and sending a header into the net. The goal came in Messi’s 115th appearance for Inter Miami across all competitions.
The milestone carried extra significance because Cruz Azul was also the team Messi scored against for his first Inter Miami goal in 2023. He found the net with a stoppage-time free kick during his Miami debut, meaning his first and 100th goals for the club both came against the Mexican side.
Messi nearly added another goal early in the second half after connecting with another pass from Suárez, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Despite the setback, the 39-year-old remained heavily involved as Miami looked to protect its lead.
Cruz Azul pushed for an equalizer, but Inter Miami held firm before producing the decisive moment late in the match. In the 81st minute, Messi delivered a corner into the box, with Casemiro rising to head the ball into the net and double Miami’s advantage.
The victory gave Inter Miami its first Campeones Cup title and added another trophy to the club’s rapidly growing collection since Messi joined in 2023. Miami previously won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and the MLS Cup in 2025.
The match also marked the competitive debut of new Inter Miami head coach Cristian “Kily” González, who began his time in charge by guiding the club to silverware.
“Leo told me he’d make me a champion, so he kept his word,” Miami coach Cristian Gonzalez said.
For Messi, the night added another achievement to an already remarkable spell in the United States. Since joining Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, he has become the club’s leading scorer while helping transform its trophy cabinet.
The Argentine has also continued producing at a high level during the current season, reaching 23 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions before the latest match. His 100th Inter Miami goal now adds another landmark to his career.
Messi is also Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 international goals. He recently announced his retirement from international football and is scheduled to make his final appearance for the national team in a friendly against Benin on October 6.
With the Campeones Cup now secured, Inter Miami will return its attention to the MLS season, while Messi continues to add to his remarkable list of individual and team achievements.
