MIAMI — Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami with a diving header and set up the second as the MLS champions beat Mexico’s Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup on Wednesday.
The victory at Nu Stadium gave Miami its first Campeones Cup title and gave 39-year-old Messi his first trophy of the year, two months after losing the 2026 World Cup final with Argentina to Spain.
Miami opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Luis Suarez crossed from the byline and the 5-foot-7 Messi outjumped Willer Ditta to head in, according to AFP.
Suarez nearly created a second in the 32nd minute when he received a cross-field ball from Messi and set up German Berterame, whose effort was cleared off the line.
Messi thought he had his 101st Miami goal early in the second half, beating the goalkeeper from a Suarez through ball, but it was ruled offside.
Cruz Azul had chances at both ends. Jose Paradela’s shot was saved at the near post by Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair in the first half. In the 67th minute, substitute Gabriel Fernandez hit the post with a glancing header and Casemiro blocked the follow-up.
Miami sealed the win in the 81st minute when Messi’s corner found Casemiro, who headed low to the far post.
St Clair denied Paradela late from a free kick to preserve the clean sheet.
After the match, Casemiro praised Messi.
“We have to enjoy this because we don’t know how long we’ll have it,” he said. “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 deserves 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,” Beckham said. “So he deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it.”
The trophy came in new head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez’s first game in charge. The Argentine was appointed last month but only took his first training sessions this week due to visa delays.
The Campeones Cup pits the previous year’s MLS Cup winner against the winner of Mexico’s Campeon de Campeones. It was the eighth edition and is always hosted by the MLS side. Mexican teams had won the last three editions before Wednesday. Cruz Azul has still never won the competition after losing the 2021 final.
AFP
