Lionel Messi reached a milestone on Wednesday by scoring his 100th career goal for Inter Miami during a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup, according to match reports. The 39-year-old Argentine forward also contributed an assist, lifting the Florida club to another piece of silverware in the annual fixture matching the champions of North American soccer’s Major League Soccer against their Mexican counterparts.
A Familiar Opponent and a Milestone Strike
The decisive opening goal arrived at the 24th minute of the match. Luis Suárez delivered the setup pass, allowing Messi to head the ball in from close range. According to regional sports coverage, the strike marked Messi’s 100th goal in 115 appearances for Inter Miami across all competitions.
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The matchup carried a sense of symmetry for the club and its captain. Messi scored his very first goal for the Florida outfit against the exact same opponent, Cruz Azul, back in July 2023 via a late free kick.
Securing the Campeones Cup
Inter Miami put the game out of reach in the 81st minute. Messi floated a corner kick toward former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, who finished the sequence to seal the 2-0 scoreline and secure the Campeones Cup trophy.
Following the final whistle, Casemiro praised his teammate’s ongoing impact on the pitch. “You have to enjoy it, because we don’t know how much longer it will last,” Casemiro told reporters after the match. “What he has done and continues to do for football is simply incredible. He remains the best, he proved it at the World Cup, and he continues to prove it in MLS.”
Trophy Chase and Upcoming Timeline
Wednesday’s triumph adds another honor to a crowded trophy cabinet for Messi, who enters the final stretch of the calendar year in contention for a historic ninth Ballon d’Or. His resume over the past few seasons includes a standout run at the FIFA World Cup where he scored eight goals for Argentina before falling in the final.
While Messi continues to anchor the Inter Miami attack in North America, his international career with the Albiceleste nears its official close. He announced his upcoming international retirement in late August and is scheduled to play his final match for Argentina on Oct. 6 in Buenos Aires.
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