Lionel Messi scored a goal and provided an assist as Inter Miami secured the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, defeating Cruz Azul 2-0 in the annual showdown between Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX champions.
This was Inter Miami’s first Campeones Cup win and was thanks to the Argentine star’s 100th goal for the reigning MLS Cup champions. A late corner from Messi was headed into the net by Casemiro to seal the victory.
The win marked 39-year-old Messi’s first trophy of the year, two months after the heartbreak of losing the 2026 World Cup final to Spain with Argentina.
After the match, Casemiro paid tribute to his legendary teammate Messi.
“We have to enjoy this because we don’t know how long we’ll have it,” said the former Real Madrid midfielder.
“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 said Messi deserved to win a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or.
“When you see him do things like this tonight, when you see him have the World Cup that he’s had… there is no one at 39 that’s doing that, and doing it at that level,” said Beckham.
“So he deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it.”
Cruz Azul had the game’s first big chance, with Jose Paradela’s shot saved at the near post by Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair.
Miami’s opening goal came in the 24th minute. While the goalscorer was expected, it was a rare Messi header that broke the deadlock.
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Luis Suarez crossed from the byline, and the 5-foot-7 Messi outjumped Willer Ditta with a diving header to give Miami the lead.
Suarez nearly set up another goal in the 32nd minute. He received a cross-field pass from Messi and set up German Berterame, whose dinked shot was cleared off the line.
Early in the second half, Messi appeared to have scored his 101st Miami goal, racing through one-on-one from a Suarez through ball and placing his shot off the post, but he was ruled offside.
Cruz Azul should have equalized in the 67th minute, but substitute Gabriel Fernandez’s glancing header hit the post, and Casemiro blocked the follow-up shot.
A Messi corner in the 81st minute led to Casemiro heading the ball low to the far post, giving Miami a two-goal cushion.
St Clair made a strong save from Paradela’s free kick to deny Cruz Azul a late consolation.
New coach
The trophy was won in the first game under new Inter Miami head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, an Argentine manager, was appointed last month but only took his first training sessions this week due to visa delays.
The Campeones Cup is an annual event that pits the previous year’s MLS Cup winner against Mexico’s Campeon de Campeones winner.
This was the eighth edition of the cup, which is hosted by the MLS team.
Mexican teams had won the last three editions before Miami’s victory.
Mexican team Cruz Azul has never won the Campeones Cup; they lost the 2021 final.
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