Lionel Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal and assisted Casemiro as Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the 2026 Campeones Cup.
Lionel Messi reached another milestone and lifted another trophy on the same night. The Argentine scored his 100th Inter Miami goal and provided the assist for the second as the Herons defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 at Nu Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 16, to win the 2026 Campeones Cup.
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How Did Lionel Messi Reach 100 Goals for Inter Miami?
The milestone arrived in the 24th minute, and it took a rare Messi finish to reach it. Luis Suarez sent a cross into the penalty area, and Messi made a late run before rising above Willer Ditta to head the ball past Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier. The goal was Messi’s 100th for Inter Miami across all competitions, more than three years after his first goal for the club.
There was also a sense of symmetry to the moment. Messi’s first Inter Miami goal came against Cruz Azul in the 2023 League Cup, meaning the Mexican club was again on the other side when he reached his century. Cruz Azul refused to disappear after falling behind. Gabriel Fernandez struck the post, while another chance forced Miami to defend its narrow advantage as the second half progressed.
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How Did Lionel Messi Set Up the Second Goal?
The match remained open until the 81st minute, when Messi created the decisive moment from a set piece. Messi delivered a corner into the penalty area, and Casemiro rose above the defenders to head the ball past Mier. Because Messi’s corner directly supplied the goal, he was credited with the assist, giving him a goal and an assist in the final. The goal effectively ended Cruz Azul’s hopes of forcing the game back into doubt and secured Inter Miami’s first Campeones Cup title.
What Does the Trophy Mean for Inter Miami?
The victory continues an unusual run for Inter Miami since Messi arrived in South Florida in 2023. The club has now won a trophy in four consecutive seasons, adding the Campeones Cup to the Leagues Cup in 2023, Supporters’ Shield in 2024, and MLS Cup in 2025. For Messi, the night added his 48th career trophy and another landmark to his Miami chapter. More importantly for the club, the celebration delivered its first piece of silverware at Nu Stadium. Messi reached 100 goals, created another, and left Miami with another trophy to celebrate. That made the new stadium’s first major final one to remember.
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