Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal to Win Campeones Cup Over Cruz Azul

Lionel Messi reached a historic milestone on Wednesday by scoring his 100th goal for Inter Miami, leading his club to a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul to capture the Campeones Cup. At 39 years old, the Argentine star delivered another decisive performance in the annual showdown between the reigning champions of Major League Soccer and the Mexican Liga MX.

Milestone Strike and Match-Winning Performance

Playing at a high level on the pitch in Miami, Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute. He headed in a close-range effort following a precise pass from former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. According to match reports from La Presse, the strike marked Messi’s 100th goal in 115 appearances for Inter Miami across all competitions.

The fixture carried a sense of symmetry for the forward, who scored his very first goal for the Florida club against the exact same opponent, Cruz Azul, via a dramatic free-kick in July 2023. Wednesday’s contest was put out of reach in the 81st minute when Messi delivered a corner-kick assist to Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, sealing the 2-0 scoreline and securing the trophy.

Teammate Praise and Global Standing

Following the victory, Casemiro expressed his admiration for the veteran playmaker’s enduring impact on the sport. As reported by La Presse, the former Real Madrid player stated, “Il faut en profiter, car on ne sait pas combien de temps ça va encore durer. Ce qu’il a fait et continue de faire pour le soccer est tout simplement incroyable. Il reste le meilleur, il l’a prouvé lors de la Coupe du monde et il continue de le prouver en MLS.”

Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal to Win Campeones Cup Over Cruz Azul — Photo: lapresse.ca

The triumph adds another accolade to a remarkable stretch for Messi, who captained Argentina to a runner-up finish at the World Cup, scoring eight goals during the tournament. Recognized as a contender for a ninth Ballon d’Or this year, the forward recently confirmed that his international career is drawing to a close. Having announced his retirement from the Argentina national team in late August, Messi is scheduled to make his final appearance for the Albiceleste on October 6 in Buenos Aires.