Lionel Messi reached his 100th goal for Inter Miami in memorable fashion on Wednesday night, scoring in the 2–0 victory over Cruz Azul as the MLS side lifted the Campeones Cup for the first time.
The Argentine also provided the assist for Casemiro’s late goal, helping Inter Miami secure the trophy at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida.
The match marked the eighth edition of the Campeones Cup and gave Messi his first trophy of 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami against Cruz Azul.
- Messi opened the scoring with a header in the 24th minute.
- Inter Miami eventually defeated Cruz Azul 2–0.
- Messi created the second goal with a corner that Casemiro headed into the net.
- The victory gave Inter Miami their first Campeones Cup title.
- The trophy was also the first of 2026 for Messi.
- The result marked a winning start for new Inter Miami head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez.
Messi Reaches 100 Inter Miami Goals In Trophy Final
Messi’s milestone became one of the defining moments of the Campeones Cup final.
The 39-year-old forward reached the 100-goal mark for Inter Miami by heading the opening goal into the net in the first half.
The achievement came in a match that ultimately delivered silverware for the club, giving the milestone an added significance.
The victory also meant Messi ended the night with both a goal and an assist.
How Inter Miami Beat Cruz Azul
Cruz Azul created the first clear opportunity of the final when Jose Paradela tested Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair.
St Clair kept out the effort at the near post, allowing Miami to remain level before Messi changed the game.
Inter Miami took control of the scoreline in the 24th minute.
Luis Suarez sent a cross from the byline, and Messi rose above Willer Ditta to head the ball into the net.
It was a rare headed goal for the Argentine and gave Miami a 1–0 advantage.
Messi’s Header Puts Miami Ahead
The opening goal was both the game’s first breakthrough and Messi’s 100th for Inter Miami.
Suarez’s delivery found Messi inside the penalty area, where the forward climbed above Ditta before directing his header into the net.
Cruz Azul were forced to chase the game after falling behind, while Inter Miami looked to protect their advantage.
The Mexican side continued to threaten after the interval.
Cruz Azul Push But Miami Hold Firm
Cruz Azul came close to an equaliser in the 67th minute when substitute Gabriel Fernandez headed against the post.
The rebound presented another opportunity, but Casemiro intervened to block the follow-up effort.
Messi then appeared to have doubled Miami’s lead after racing through from a Suarez pass.
He struck the post, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
The missed opportunity left Cruz Azul within touching distance of an equaliser, but Miami eventually found the second goal.
Messi Creates The Second Goal
Inter Miami finally put the result beyond Cruz Azul in the 81st minute.
Messi delivered a corner into the penalty area, where Casemiro met the ball with a header and sent it low into the far corner.
The goal made it 2–0 and completed a decisive contribution from Messi, who had already scored the opener.
St Clair then made another important intervention, saving a Paradela free kick as Inter Miami protected their lead through the closing stages.
What The Campeones Cup Victory Means For Inter Miami
The result gave Inter Miami their first Campeones Cup title after defeating the Liga MX champions in the final.
It was also Messi’s first trophy of 2026.
The victory carried an additional significance for Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez, who had only begun working with the squad earlier in the week following visa delays.
His first match in charge therefore ended with Inter Miami lifting the trophy.
Casemiro And Beckham Praise Messi
Casemiro highlighted the significance of having Messi still competing at the highest level after the final.
“We have to enjoy this because we don’t know how long we’ll have it,” Casemiro said.
He added that Messi’s contribution to football remained remarkable, saying:
“What he has done and continues to do for football is incredible… he remains the best. He proved it at the World Cup and continues to prove it in MLS.”
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham also backed Messi in the Ballon d’Or discussion.
“So he deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it,” Beckham said.
Messi’s 100th Goal And Miami’s First Campeones Cup
The night brought together two major milestones for Inter Miami.
Messi reached 100 goals for the club, while Miami secured their first Campeones Cup title.
His involvement went beyond the milestone goal, with the forward also creating the second goal through his corner for Casemiro.
For Inter Miami, the 2–0 victory provided a trophy to begin the new coaching era under Gonzalez.
Messi 100th Inter Miami Goal — FAQ
How many goals has Messi scored for Inter Miami?
Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami in the Campeones Cup final against Cruz Azul.
Who did Inter Miami beat in the Campeones Cup final?
Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2–0.
How did Messi score his 100th Inter Miami goal?
Messi scored with a header in the 24th minute after receiving a cross from Luis Suarez.
Did Messi score and assist in the Campeones Cup final?
Yes. Messi scored Inter Miami’s opening goal and later provided the corner that Casemiro converted for the second goal.
Who scored Inter Miami’s second goal?
Casemiro scored the second goal with a header in the 81st minute.
Did Inter Miami win the Campeones Cup before?
According to the supplied match report, this was Inter Miami’s first Campeones Cup title.
What trophy did Messi win with Inter Miami?
The Campeones Cup victory gave Messi his first trophy of 2026.
What Comes Next For Inter Miami
Inter Miami leave the Campeones Cup final with a new trophy, a new head coach beginning his tenure with a victory and another significant Messi milestone.
The 2–0 result will therefore remain notable not only for the club’s first Campeones Cup title, but also for the night Messi reached 100 goals for Inter Miami.
What do you think about Messi’s 100th Inter Miami goal and the club’s first Campeones Cup title? Share your thoughts in the comments.
