Lionel Messi delivered a goal and an assist as Inter Miami claimed their first-ever Campeones Cup, defeating Cruz Azul 2-0 on Wednesday night in the annual showdown between the champions of Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX.
The Argentine superstar opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a rare diving header, marking his 100th goal for Inter Miami. Messi then set up the clincher, delivering a late corner that Casemiro nodded in to secure the win.
At 39, Messi lifted his first trophy of the year, just two months after suffering heartbreak with Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
After the match, Casemiro paid tribute to his legendary teammate, saying, We have to enjoy this because we don’t know how long we’ll have it. 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 joined in the praise, arguing that Messi deserves a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or.
When you see him do things like this tonight, when you see the World Cup he’s had… there is no one at 39 doing it at this level,” Beckham said. “He deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it.
Cruz Azul had the first major chance of the night, but Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair denied Jose Paradela at the near post. The breakthrough came when Luis Suarez whipped in a cross from the byline, and the 5-foot-7 Messi soared above Willer Ditta to head home.
Suarez nearly provided another assist in the 32nd minute, collecting a pinpoint cross-field pass from Messi before teeing up German Berterame, whose chipped shot was cleared off the line.
Early in the second half, Messi thought he had a second goal, finishing off a Suarez through ball with a shot off the post, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Cruz Azul’s best chance to equalize came in the 67th minute when substitute Gabriel Fernandez’s header struck the post, and Casemiro blocked the rebound.
Inter Miami doubled their lead in the 81st minute when Messi’s corner found Casemiro, who headed the ball low inside the far post. St. Clair preserved the shutout with a late save from a Paradela free kick.
The victory came in the debut match for new Inter Miami head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez, who had only just taken his first training sessions this week due to visa issues.
The Campeones Cup, now in its eighth edition, annually pits the reigning MLS Cup champions against Mexico’s Campeon de Campeones winner, with the match always hosted by the MLS side. Before Miami’s triumph, Mexican teams had won the previous three editions. Cruz Azul, meanwhile, remain without a Campeones Cup title, having also lost the 2021 final.
