Lionel Messi found another landmark under the Florida lights on Wednesday, scoring his 100th Inter Miami goal as the club defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to lift the Campeones Cup.
Key takeaways
- Messi reached 100 goals in 115 appearances for Inter Miami across all competitions.
- The 39-year-old opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a close-range header.
- Luis Suarez provided the assist for Messi’s milestone goal.
- Messi later set up Casemiro from a corner as Inter Miami secured a 2-0 win.
- The Argentine is in contention for a ninth France Football Ballon d’Or this year.
Messi’s century delivers Campeones Cup
Inter Miami claimed the annual contest between the MLS champions and the winners of Mexico’s domestic league thanks to Messi’s decisive contribution against Cruz Azul.
His breakthrough arrived after 24 minutes. Suarez, his former Barcelona teammate, supplied the delivery and Messi finished with a header from close range to put Miami ahead.
There was a neat circle to the occasion: Messi’s first goal for Inter Miami also came against Cruz Azul, when he struck a free-kick in July 2023. This time, the Argentine’s finish took him into three figures for the club after 115 matches.
Casemiro praises Inter Miami’s match-winner
Miami made the result safe in the 81st minute. Messi turned provider, delivering a corner that Casemiro converted to seal the 2-0 scoreline.
Casemiro, who previously played for Real Madrid, urged football to appreciate Messi’s continuing impact. “We have to enjoy it because nobody knows how much longer it will last,” he said. “What he has done, and what he is still doing for football, is simply incredible. He remains the best. He showed it at the World Cup and he continues to show it in MLS.”
The latest trophy and individual milestone add further weight to Messi’s candidacy for what would be his ninth Ballon d’Or.
SEO title: Lionel Messi scores 100th Inter Miami goal in Campeones Cup win
Meta description: Lionel Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal and assisted Casemiro as Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup.
