Messi scores 100th Inter Miami goal to clinch Campeones Cup title over Cruz Azul

Lionel Messi converted his 100th goal for Inter Miami and spearheaded a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul to claim the Campeones Cup. In his first match in charge, head coach Cristian González already has silverware, and Casemiro sealed the win with a header in the rain at Nu Stadium.

• Messi netted his 100th Inter Miami goal with a header against Cruz Azul, the same opponent and method as his first for the club.
• Casemiro made it 2-0 and now has four goals in his last five starts.
• Cristian González won a trophy in his debut as Inter Miami head coach.
• Nu Stadium, opened in April 2026, celebrated its first piece of silverware.
• Inter Miami snapped a three-match winless run.

Messi reaches 100 Inter Miami goals on a title-winning night

The Argentine star could not have picked a better stage for a milestone. Early in the match, Messi found space inside the box and powered home a header to give Inter Miami the lead against Cruz Azul. The moment carried extra meaning: his first goal for the club also came via a header, and it also came against the Mexican side. Two years later, the same script carried him to the century mark.

The breakdown of his 100 goals shows production across every part of his body: 69 with his left foot, nine with his right, ten from free kicks, six headers, five penalties, and one with his chest. The number reinforces his role as the main attacking reference in Florida and adds to a personal trophy cabinet that now includes 49 career titles.

Casemiro extends scoring streak and puts Cruz Azul away

With rain falling at Nu Stadium, Casemiro stepped up to remove any doubt. His header made it 2-0 and underlined a strong individual run: the Brazilian has four goals in his last five starts for Inter Miami. If Messi opened the game, the former Real Madrid midfielder closed it with authority.

González's side did not have it easy in the final stretch. Cruz Azul grew into the contest and forced the coach to adjust. Facundo Mora came off injured in the 75th minute, bringing Gonzalo Luján into the match with Ian Fray already unavailable. Still, the defense held firm, and Inter Miami kept their first clean sheet in 12 games across all competitions.

Cristian González debuts with silverware at a new stadium

González's arrival in the dugout got off to the best possible start. The coach opened his tenure with a trophy in his first official match and guided Inter Miami back to winning ways after three consecutive draws. Even though the Campeones Cup does not award MLS points, the boost to the group carries clear value heading into the rest of the season.

Nu Stadium also lived a historic day. Opened in April 2026, the venue added its first trophy with the victory over the Liga MX side. This is also the first Campeones Cup title in Inter Miami history, a competition pitting the reigning MLS Cup champion against the reigning Liga MX champion to determine the best team from both leagues. No MLS club had won it since New York City FC beat Atlas in 2022.

Suárez and Berterame provide the right support for Messi

Luis Suárez's return to the starting lineup gave Inter Miami a top-level partner for Messi in attack. His presence, along with German Berterame's, generated a high press that disrupted Cruz Azul's buildup and allowed the team to defend from the front. Berterame has yet to show the scoring touch expected since his arrival from Monterrey, but his work rate has become a key piece of González's setup.

That combination helped Inter Miami control the opening stretch and strike early through Messi's header. The off-ball work from the forwards proved crucial against a Cruz Azul side that struggled to settle on the Nu Stadium pitch.

What's next for Inter Miami after the Campeones Cup title

The trophy marks a turning point. With the winless run over, the Herons want to carry that momentum into MLS regular-season play as they defend the MLS Cup from last season. Nashville SC currently leads the Eastern Conference, but Inter Miami have more than enough talent to enter the playoff conversation.

The next match will be at home against San Diego FC, a chance to pick up three points and build on the strong start to the González era. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair summed up the locker room's ambition after lifting the cup.

This brings a lot of confidence to the group. We know that once you get a taste of one trophy, you want to push for more, because the expectation is not just one. It's to go and win multiple.

Frequently asked questions about Inter Miami's Campeones Cup title