Lionel Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal in Campeones Cup Victory, Beats Cruz Azul 2-0/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami as the club defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup. Messi headed in a Luis Suárez cross before assisting Casemiro’s late goal from a corner kick. The trophy continues Miami’s run of winning silverware in every season since Messi joined the club in 2023.
Quick Look
- Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 in the Campeones Cup.
- Messi scored the opening goal in the 24th minute.
- The goal was Messi’s 100th in 115 appearances for Miami.
- Luis Suárez supplied the cross for Messi’s header.
- Messi reached the milestone against the club he faced in his Miami debut.
- Casemiro doubled Miami’s advantage in the 81st minute.
- Messi assisted Casemiro’s goal from a corner kick.
- Casemiro has scored four headed goals in his last five matches.
- Miami has won a trophy in four consecutive seasons.
- Inter Miami next hosts San Diego FC in MLS play Sunday.
Deep Look
Messi reaches 100 goals for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi reached another career milestone Wednesday night, scoring his 100th goal for Inter Miami during the club’s 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul.
The Argentine forward entered the Campeones Cup match with 99 Miami goals and needed only 24 minutes to reach the century mark.
Luis Suárez created the opportunity by advancing along the right side and delivering a cross into the penalty area. Messi made a late run toward the ball and beat the defense with a header to give Miami a 1-0 lead.
The goal was Messi’s 100th in 115 appearances across all competitions since joining Inter Miami in July 2023.
His landmark performance helped Miami capture its first Campeones Cup title, with Messi contributing both a goal and an assist. Major League Soccer named him the match’s most valuable player, according to the league’s official match report.
Cruz Azul connects Messi’s first and 100th goals
Messi’s milestone carried additional significance because it came against the same opponent he faced when beginning his Inter Miami career.
He scored his first goal for the club against Cruz Azul in a Leagues Cup match in July 2023. With the score tied late in the contest, Messi converted a free kick in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory in his Miami debut.
More than three years later, Messi again delivered the decisive opening goal against the Mexican club—this time with a header rather than a free kick.
The two performances bookended his first 100 goals for Miami and helped the club win separate international trophies involving teams from Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
Messi creates Miami’s second goal
Messi’s influence continued late in the second half when he helped produce the goal that confirmed Miami’s victory.
The Miami captain delivered a corner kick in the 81st minute. Casemiro separated from his defender and headed the ball into the net, extending the lead to 2-0.
The goal eliminated Cruz Azul’s remaining hopes of forcing a comeback and secured another trophy for Miami.
Messi finished with one goal and one assist, directly contributing to both scores. The Argentine has remained central to Miami’s attacking success since his arrival, producing goals himself while creating opportunities for teammates.
The final score and Messi’s milestone were also confirmed by Reuters.
Casemiro’s goal continued an unusually productive offensive run for the Brazilian midfielder.
He has scored four times in his last five matches, with every goal coming from a header. Before the Campeones Cup final, Casemiro had scored in three consecutive matches against CF Montreal, Atlanta United and Chicago.
Nashville prevented him from scoring Saturday, ending that three-game streak. Casemiro responded against Cruz Azul by converting Messi’s corner for Miami’s second goal.
His ability to provide an aerial threat has given Miami another attacking option during set pieces.
The goal also allowed Miami to finish the final with a two-goal advantage after protecting its narrow lead for most of the match.
Miami adds another trophy with Messi
The Campeones Cup became Inter Miami’s fourth major trophy since Messi joined the club in 2023.
Miami has now collected silverware in four consecutive seasons:
- Leagues Cup in 2023
- Supporters’ Shield in 2024
- MLS Cup in 2025
- Cup Champions in 2026
The Leagues Cup was the first trophy in club history, while the Supporters’ Shield recognized Miami’s regular-season performance. Winning MLS Cup the following year gave Miami the league championship and qualified the club for the Campeones Cup.
Wednesday’s victory continued that progression and delivered Miami its first trophy at Nu Stadium.
What is the Campeones Cup?
The Campeones Cup is an annual match involving the reigning champions from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Inter Miami earned its place in the 2026 edition by winning the 2025 MLS Cup. Cruz Azul represented Liga MX after securing the appropriate Mexican championship qualification.
Miami’s victory evened the competition’s all-time results between the two leagues, with MLS and Liga MX clubs now earning four Campeones Cup wins each.
The title also strengthened Miami’s growing record of success against teams from outside MLS.
Strong start for Miami’s new coach
The final marked the first Inter Miami match under new coach Cristian “Kily” González.
González had conducted his first training session with the club only one day before facing Cruz Azul. Despite the limited preparation time, Miami earned a clean sheet and scored twice to secure the trophy.
The result provided González with an ideal beginning as Miami’s coach while extending the club’s trophy streak.
Miami must now shift its attention back to the MLS regular season, where it remains involved in the race near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Up next for Inter Miami
Inter Miami returns to MLS competition Sunday when it hosts San Diego FC at Nu Stadium.
The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern time, according to the MLS schedule.
Miami enters the contest in second place in the Eastern Conference. After celebrating the Campeones Cup, the club will look to carry its momentum into the final portion of the regular season.
The San Diego match will also provide Messi with his first opportunity to add to his Inter Miami total after reaching the 100-goal milestone.
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