Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to Campeones Cup Victory
Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami and provided an assist as the club defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to win the Campeones Cup for the first time.
Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a header from Luis Suárez’s cross before Brazilian midfielder Casemiro doubled Inter Miami’s advantage in the 81st minute, also with a header from a Messi corner.
The victory delivered another trophy to Inter Miami during Messi’s time at the club and gave new head coach Cristian “Kily” González silverware in his first competitive match in charge.
The match was played at Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Messi Reaches 100 Inter Miami Goals
The opening goal was a major personal milestone for Messi.
The Argentine forward rose to meet Suárez’s cross in the 24th minute and headed the ball beyond Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier.
According to Inter Miami’s official communications department, the goal made Messi the first player in the club’s history to reach 100 goals.
The milestone came in his 115th appearance for Inter Miami across all competitions.
The Associated Press, in reports published by CBS News and The Washington Post, also confirmed that Messi reached the century mark against Cruz Azul.
The achievement carries additional significance because Cruz Azul was the opponent against whom Messi scored his first goal for Inter Miami.
He scored a stoppage-time free kick against the Mexican club during his Inter Miami debut in July 2023, securing a 2-1 victory.
More than three years later, he reached 100 goals against the same opponent.
According to Inter Miami, Messi’s 100 goals have come across four seasons, with 11 goals in 2023, 23 in 2024, 43 in 2025 and 23 during the 2026 season at the time of the milestone.
Casemiro Seals the Trophy
Cruz Azul remained within reach of an equaliser during much of the second half, but Inter Miami eventually created the decisive moment.
In the 81st minute, Messi delivered a corner into the penalty area and Casemiro rose to head the ball into the net.
The goal made it 2-0 and effectively secured the Campeones Cup for Inter Miami.
The Associated Press reported that Casemiro had scored four goals, all with his head, in his previous five matches.
Cruz Azul had opportunities to get back into the match.
According to reports from Major League Soccer and the Associated Press, Gabriel Fernández came close to scoring when his header struck the post before Casemiro prevented Cruz Azul from converting the follow-up opportunity.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair also made an important late save to preserve the clean sheet.
First Campeones Cup for Inter Miami
The victory marked Inter Miami’s first Campeones Cup title.
The competition brings together the reigning MLS Cup champion and the winner of Mexico’s Campeón de Campeones, creating a meeting between the champions of Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
Inter Miami qualified for the 2026 edition after winning the 2025 MLS Cup.
The club had previously won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and the MLS Cup in 2025.
The Campeones Cup therefore became the latest addition to Inter Miami’s trophy collection during the Messi era.
Major League Soccer reported that the title was also the first trophy won by Inter Miami at its new Nu Stadium.
New Coach Begins With Silverware
The match also marked the competitive debut of Cristian “Kily” González as Inter Miami’s head coach.
González was appointed after Guillermo Hoyos had served as interim manager following Javier Mascherano’s departure.
His arrival came shortly before the Campeones Cup final, making the victory an immediate milestone in his tenure.
Major League Soccer reported that González described the occasion as an emotional beginning and said Messi had told him he would help him become a champion.
The victory gives González a trophy from his first competitive match while also providing Inter Miami with a positive start to a new coaching era.
Messi’s Continuing Impact at Inter Miami
Messi’s arrival in Miami in 2023 has coincided with a significant period of success for the club.
Inter Miami had not won a major trophy before Messi joined the organisation.
Since then, the club has won four major titles: the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, the 2025 MLS Cup and the 2026 Campeones Cup.
Major League Soccer reported that the Campeones Cup also took Messi’s career trophy tally to 48 titles with club and country.
The latest achievement further underlines his statistical impact at Inter Miami, where he has reached 100 goals in 115 appearances.
His first 100 goals for the club have come in a relatively short period compared with his previous milestones for Barcelona and Argentina.
ESPN reported that Messi reached 100 goals for Inter Miami in fewer appearances than it took him to reach the same milestone with Barcelona and Argentina.
A Significant MLS-Liga MX Meeting
The Campeones Cup final also represented another chapter in the sporting relationship between Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
The competition provides an annual meeting between the champions of the two North American football systems.
Before Inter Miami’s victory, Mexican clubs had won the previous three editions of the competition.
Cruz Azul had also been seeking its first Campeones Cup title but suffered another defeat in the final after losing the 2021 edition.
Inter Miami’s victory therefore ended the recent run of Mexican winners and gave MLS another title in the competition.
What Happens Next
Inter Miami will now turn its attention back to the MLS season.
According to the Associated Press, the club is scheduled to host San Diego FC at Nu Stadium on Sunday, September 20.
Inter Miami entered the Campeones Cup final second in the Eastern Conference, meaning the club will continue its domestic campaign after celebrating its latest trophy.
For Messi, the next phase of the season provides an opportunity to add to his 100-goal tally and help Inter Miami pursue further success in MLS.
The Campeones Cup victory has already delivered a major milestone for the Argentine forward and another piece of silverware for the Florida club.
His 100th Inter Miami goal also created a rare full-circle moment: the same opponent that witnessed his first goal for the club in 2023 was present when he reached the century mark in 2026.
The 2-0 victory consequently combined an individual milestone, a club championship and the beginning of a new coaching era for Inter Miami.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Inter Miami CF — Official confirmation of Lionel Messi reaching 100 goals for the club and breakdown of his scoring record.
- Major League Soccer (MLS) — Match report, Campeones Cup coverage and Messi’s 100th Inter Miami goal.
- Associated Press (AP) — Match report on Inter Miami’s 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul.
- CBS News — AP report on Messi’s 100th Inter Miami goal and the Campeones Cup final.
- ESPN — Match report and statistical context surrounding Messi’s 100-goal milestone.
- The Washington Post — AP report on the Inter Miami-Cruz Azul Campeones Cup final.
