Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami as the club defeated Cruz Azul 2–0 on Wednesday, September 16, to claim its first Campeones Cup title at Nu Stadium in Miami. The Argentine forward opened the scoring in the 24th minute before providing the corner for Casemiro’s late header, giving new head coach Cristian “Kily” González a trophy in his first match in charge.
The victory marked another major milestone in Messi’s Miami career and extended the club’s run of winning at least one trophy in every season since his arrival in 2023. Inter Miami had previously won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and the MLS Cup in 2025.
For Messi, the night combined a personal landmark with another piece of silverware as Miami continued its rapid rise in North American football.
Messi reached the century mark in unusual fashion for one of the most prolific players in football history.
Luis Suárez delivered a cross from the left, and Messi attacked the ball to produce a diving header that sent it beyond Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier. The goal came in the 24th minute and gave Miami the lead.
The milestone carried additional significance because Cruz Azul was also the opponent Messi faced when he scored his first Inter Miami goal in July 2023.
According to AP reporting, Messi reached 100 goals in 115 appearances for the club across all competitions.
His scoring milestone was also part of a broader contribution on the night:
- 24th minute: Messi scored with a header.
- 81st minute: Messi supplied the corner for Casemiro’s goal.
- Final score: Inter Miami 2–0 Cruz Azul.
- Tournament: 2026 Campeones Cup.
Cruz Azul created opportunities to get back into the contest but could not convert them.
Gabriel Fernández came close in the second half when his header struck the post, while Casemiro helped Miami survive the resulting danger. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair also produced an important late save to preserve the clean sheet.
Miami eventually doubled its advantage in the 81st minute. Messi delivered a corner into the penalty area, where Casemiro directed a header toward the far corner.
The Brazilian midfielder’s goal effectively settled the final and allowed Miami to celebrate its first Campeones Cup championship. MLS reported that the result also brought the all-time record between MLS and Liga MX teams in the competition to four wins apiece.
Cruz Azul remain without a Campeones Cup title after also losing the 2021 final.
The victory provided an immediate boost for Cristian “Kily” González, who officially began his Inter Miami tenure with a championship.
The Argentine was appointed as the club’s new head coach in August, but visa-related delays limited his time with the squad before the final. He conducted his first training sessions with the players earlier this week before leading Miami against Cruz Azul.
The Campeones Cup is contested annually between the previous season’s MLS Cup winner and Mexico’s Campeón de Campeones winner. The competition began in 2018 and is staged at the home venue of the MLS participant.
Inter Miami entered the 2026 edition as the reigning MLS Cup champion, while Cruz Azul represented Liga MX after winning Mexico’s Campeón de Campeones competition.
The Campeones Cup represents the fourth major trophy Inter Miami have won since Messi joined the club midway through the 2023 season.
The sequence now includes:
- 2023: Leagues Cup
- 2024: Supporters’ Shield
- 2025: MLS Cup
- 2026: Campeones Cup
MLS noted that Miami has therefore collected silverware in four consecutive seasons during the Messi era.
The latest success also came at a significant moment for the club. The Campeones Cup was Miami’s first trophy at its new Nu Stadium, adding another milestone to a period of rapid growth for the franchise.
The immediate challenge for Miami is to carry the momentum from the cup final into the MLS regular season.
The club is scheduled to host San Diego FC on Sunday, September 20, in its next league fixture.
For Messi, the 100th Inter Miami goal adds another statistical landmark to a Miami spell that has already produced four trophies. His combination of scoring and playmaking against Cruz Azul again placed him at the centre of a major Inter Miami victory.
The result also gives González a championship at the start of his tenure and provides Miami with another title as it continues to build its competitive profile in both MLS and international club competitions.
