Messi Reaches 100 Goals as Inter Miami Win Campeones Cup

Lionel Messi had already left a huge mark on Inter Miami, but Wednesday night added another memorable chapter. The Argentine scored his 100th goal for the club as Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 at Nu Stadium to win the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup. Atletico

The setting made the occasion even more fitting. Messi's first goal for Inter Miami came against the same Mexican side during the 2023 Leagues Cup, when he scored a stoppage-time free kick to win the match. Three years later, Cruz Azul again found itself on the wrong side of a Messi milestone. Atletico

Messi's 100th Goal Comes in Familiar Fashion

The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute.

Luis Suárez delivered the ball into the area, and Messi timed his run perfectly before rising above Willer Ditta to head it past goalkeeper Kevin Mier. It was not the type of finish most fans associate with Messi, but it counted just the same.

The goal took him to 100 for Inter Miami in 115 appearances across all competitions. Inter Miami confirmed that he became the first player in club history to reach the century mark. His goals have come across four seasons, with 11 in 2023, 23 in 2024, 43 in 2025 and 23 so far in 2026. Atletico

Match Detail	Result
Competition	2026 Campeones Cup
Fixture	Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul
Final Score	Inter Miami 2-0 Cruz Azul
Messi's Goal	24th minute
Messi's Contribution	1 goal, 1 assist
Second Goal	Casemiro, 81st minute
Messi's Inter Miami Goals	100
Appearances	115
Venue	Nu Stadium, Miami

Cruz Azul Push, But Miami Hold Firm

The match was not completely one-sided.

Cruz Azul created pressure at different stages, particularly after the interval. Gabriel Fernández came close with a header that struck the post, while José Paradela also tested Miami's defensive shape.

Inter Miami had chances of its own. Messi thought he had doubled the lead early in the second half after finishing another move involving Suárez, but the flag went up for offside.

That moment mattered because Cruz Azul were still within one goal.

Then came the decisive play.

Messi delivered a corner in the 81st minute, and Casemiro rose to head the ball home. The Brazilian's finish gave Miami breathing room and effectively ended Cruz Azul's hopes of taking the game back to level terms. Atletico

Another Trophy in the Messi Era

The Inter Miami Campeones Cup victory continues a remarkable run since Messi arrived in South Florida in 2023.

Miami won the Leagues Cup in Messi's first season. The club then captured the Supporters' Shield in 2024 and lifted the MLS Cup in 2025. The Campeones Cup now adds another piece of silverware to that run. Atletico

For Miami, there was another important detail. This was the club's first trophy at Nu Stadium, their new home, and it came in the first match under new head coach Cristian "Kily" González. Messi also collected the Campeones Cup MVP award after scoring and assisting in the final. Atletico

The Messi 100th Inter Miami goal was therefore more than a personal milestone. It arrived in a final, against the same opponent who witnessed his first goal for the club, and helped Miami secure another title.

There was also a correction worth making to the supplied match information. The screenshot lists Messi's trophy total as 49, but the latest official MLS report puts his career haul at 48 trophies following the Campeones Cup. Atletico

Inter Miami will now turn its attention back to MLS action. The Herons are scheduled to host San Diego FC on Sunday, September 20, at Nu Stadium. Atletico