Lionel Messi etched a personal milestone into Inter Miami’s growing trophy cabinet on Wednesday night, delivering his 100th goal for the club in a 2‑0 victory over Mexican giants Cruz Azul. The decisive match unfolded at the Nu Stadium in Florida, where the MLS champions lifted the Campeones Cup for the first time this season. Messi’s header in the 24th minute, a precise finish from a Luis Suárez cross, not only opened the scoring but also marked the centenary of his club goals across 115 appearances.

The early breakthrough set the tone for a tightly contested encounter. After the opening strike, Messi appeared to double the lead early in the second half, firing a shot that rattled the post following a brilliant through ball from Suárez. However, the referee ruled the effort out for off‑side, preserving the 1‑0 margin. The deadlock was finally broken in the 81st minute when Messi delivered a corner that found Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, whose low header found the far post to seal the win. The Argentine’s involvement in both goals underscored his influence, while the Brazilian added his fourth header in five matches, a run that has seen him find the net against CF Montreal, Atlanta United and Chicago in recent weeks.

Inter Miami entered the showdown on the back of a dismal run, having secured just one victory in their previous nine fixtures. The Campeones Cup win therefore represents a dramatic reversal of fortunes, delivering the club’s first silverware of the campaign. It also adds a third major trophy to a collection that already includes the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and the 2025 MLS Cup—each secured within three years of Messi’s arrival in the United States.