Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami as the Herons beat Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup at Nu Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Argentina World Cup winner opened the scoring before Casemiro headed in a late second, giving new head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez a trophy in his first match in charge.
The landmark was especially significant because Cruz Azul were the opponents when Messi scored his first goal for Inter Miami. More than three years later, the same club was on the losing side as he reached three figures.
Another trophy in Miami’s Messi era
The Campeones Cup is the latest addition to Inter Miami’s rapidly expanding collection of honours since Messi joined the club in 2023.
He played a decisive part in the team’s transformation, inspiring Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup title only weeks after his arrival.
Messi then helped the club win the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, during a campaign in which Inter Miami set an MLS record with 74 points. He also played a leading role in the 2025 playoffs as Miami won its first MLS Cup.
His 100th goal for the club arrived in the 24th minute. Luis Suarez delivered a lofted cross from the right and Messi rose above his marker to head the ball into the net.
It was an unusual type of finish for a player more accustomed to producing his best moments with his feet.
Fastest 100-goal run
Messi has reached 100 goals for Inter Miami faster than he did for any other club he has represented, requiring only 115 matches.
His tally consists of 76 MLS goals, 14 in the Leagues Cup, eight in the Concacaf Champions Cup and one in the FIFA Club World Cup.
He is also leading MLS this season with 19 goals in 22 games.
Messi later turned provider for Inter Miami’s second goal. His corner in the 81st minute found Casemiro, who headed home to put the result beyond doubt.
The Brazilian midfielder had scored in three consecutive matches against CF Montreal, Atlanta United and Chicago before failing to find the net in Saturday’s goalless outing against Nashville. His latest goal, another header, this time secured silverware.
Gonzalez wins on debut
The victory gave Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez a trophy in his first game as Inter Miami’s head coach.
Gonzalez led his first training session on Tuesday after arriving in Miami from Argentina earlier that morning. Inter Miami agreed on 27 August to appoint him as the replacement for interim coach Guillermo Hoyos, but his start was delayed while he waited for his work permit.
Rodrigo de Paul said Messi’s achievements had become “a normality for Messi”, although the milestone remains remarkable given the standards he has maintained throughout his career.
Inter Miami return to MLS action on Sunday when they host San Diego FC at Nu Stadium. The Herons are second in the Eastern Conference, behind Nashville SC, after another trophy-winning night in South Florida.