Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal in Campeones Cup Win Over Cruz Azul
Inter Miami lifted the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul at Nu Stadium on Wednesday, as Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for the club and set up Casemiro’s late clincher.
Messi broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, meeting Luis Suarez’s precise delivery with a header. Casemiro then headed in Miami’s second from Messi’s assist to secure the annual contest between the reigning MLS and Liga MX champions.
Messi reaches 100 at record pace
The Argentine forward needed only 115 appearances to reach a century of Inter Miami goals, faster than he managed the same landmark with Barcelona, where it took 188 games, or Argentina, where he did it in 174 matches.
- 76 goals in MLS
- 14 goals in the Leagues Cup
- Eight goals in the Concacaf Champions Cup
- One goal in the FIFA Club World Cup
- One goal in the Campeones Cup
Messi now has 929 senior goals for club and country. He is also leading the MLS Golden Boot race this season with 19 goals from 22 appearances.
Rodrigo de Paul called on supporters to appreciate Messi’s continued output, saying his standard of performance can appear normal but should never be treated that way. The midfielder added that he has been fortunate to play alongside his Argentina team-mate for years and tries to enjoy every moment.
Gonzalez wins silverware immediately
The trophy is an instant boost for new Miami coach Kily Gonzalez, who only held his first training session on Tuesday after work-permit delays postponed his arrival. He had agreed in late August to take over from interim manager Guillermo Hoyos.
Gonzalez said Messi had promised before the final that he would make him a champion — and delivered. The coach described the win as a major lift for the squad, while warning Miami that the work must continue.
Messi’s Miami career began against Cruz Azul in 2023 and has already brought the Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield after a record regular-season campaign, the 2025 MLS Cup and now the Campeones Cup.
What happens next
Inter Miami return to MLS action with Gonzalez now fully in charge. The new coach will look to turn the cup success into domestic momentum as he begins putting his tactical plans in place for the remainder of the campaign.
