Lionel Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal as Miami Win Campeones Cup

Posted : 17 September 2026

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami and provided an assist as the MLS Cup holders defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the 2026 Campeones Cup. The victory gave Inter Miami their first title in the competition and extended their run of winning a trophy in every season since Messi joined the club.

Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a rare headed finish. Luis Suárez delivered the cross from the right, and the Argentine rose above Willer Ditta to send his effort into the net. The goal came in Messi's 115th appearance for Inter Miami and made him the first player in club history to reach 100 goals.

The milestone was particularly significant because Messi's first goal for Inter Miami also came against Cruz Azul during his debut in the 2023 Leagues Cup. Three years later, he reached the century mark against the same opponent while helping Miami claim another trophy.

Cruz Azul had opportunities to respond. José Paradela tested Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair early in the contest, while Gabriel Fernández later came close to equalising when his header struck the post. St. Clair also produced an important late save to preserve Miami's clean sheet.

Messi appeared to have doubled the advantage early in the second half after racing onto another Suárez pass, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Cruz Azul continued to threaten as the match progressed, but Miami eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 81st minute. Messi delivered a corner from the left, and Casemiro rose to head the ball beyond goalkeeper Kevin Mier and make it 2-0.

The triumph marked Messi's first trophy of 2026 and Inter Miami's fourth major title since his arrival in 2023. The club previously won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters' Shield in 2024 and the MLS Cup in 2025.

The match was also the first game in charge for new Inter Miami head coach Cristian “Kily” González. The Argentine manager was appointed last month but only began working with the team this week because of visa delays.

For Cruz Azul, the defeat continued their wait for a first Campeones Cup title. Mexican clubs had won the previous three editions of the competition, but Inter Miami's victory levelled the all-time record between MLS and Liga MX at four wins apiece.

Lionel Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal as Miami Win Campeones Cup

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