By Justin Ruderman
For a fourth consecutive season, Inter Miami CF have bagged a new piece of silverware courtesy of a 2-0 victory in the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup over LIGA MX titans Cruz Azul on Wednesday night at Nu Stadium.
At the heart of each of those trophy lifts has been Herons’ superstar Lionel Messi, who once again led the way with a goal and assist to capture the club’s first trophy at Nu Stadium in their first match under new head coach Cristian “Kily” González.
The Argentine legend got the party started inside half an hour, making a late-arriving run into the box and rising up over Willer Ditta for a rare header as he connected with a more familiar Luis Suárez assist to give Miami the lead.
The opener marked Messi’s 100th goal in Miami pink, bookending a century of memorable finishes that poetically began against the same Cruz Azul team in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
Messi nearly returned the favor a few minutes later, but saw Ditta clear Suárez’s attempted chip over goalkeeper Kevin Mier off the line. The Herons’ No. 10 looked to double his tally ten minutes into the second half, again connecting with Suárez, but was ruled narrowly offside on the counterattack.
Cruz Azul found their best chance to equalize when Gabriel Fernández flicked a header off the post, forcing Casemiro to block José Paradela’s attempt on the ensuing rebound.
However, the Brazilian midfielder sealed the win at the other end, heading home a Messi corner in the 81st minute to secure the silverware for the home side.
In the process, MLS leveled the all-time Campeones Cup record against LIGA MX at four wins apiece.
Goals
- 24′ – MIA – Lionel Messi | WATCH
- 81′ – MIA – Casemiro | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Since Messi’s transformational 2023 arrival, Inter Miami has won a trophy each season. Following Leagues Cup 2023, Supporters’ Shield 2024 and MLS Cup 2025 titles, the Herons have added Campeones Cup to their growing list of accolades in 2026.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Messi’s milestone 100th goal was a memorable one as the Argentine icon netted the trophy-clinching finish with his head in the 24th minute.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Who else? Awarded the Campeones Cup MVP postgame, Lionel Messi once again rose to the occasion in a final as he has done countless times throughout his career.
Next up
- MIA: Sunday, Sept. 20 vs. San Diego FC | 7 pm ET (Apple TV) | MLS Regular Season
- CAZ: Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. CF Monterrey | 9:10 pm ET | LIGA MX Apertura
