Legendary Messi Hits 100 Goals as Inter Miami Lift Another Trophy

Lionel Messi has reached another remarkable milestone and he did it against the same opponent that gave him his first taste of Inter Miami magic.

The Argentina World Cup winner scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami as the Herons defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup at Nu Stadium on Wednesday night.

Messi opened the scoring before Casemiro headed in a late second goal, giving new coach Cristian "Kily" González a trophy in his first match in charge.

Another Trophy in the Messi Era

The Campeones Cup is the latest piece of silverware added to Miami's rapidly growing collection since Messi arrived in 2023.

The club won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters' Shield in 2024 and the MLS Cup in 2025.

Messi played a central role in each stage of Miami's transformation.

1. He inspired the club to the 2023 Leagues Cup title only weeks after joining.

1. After that, he helped secure the 2024 Supporters' Shield while Miami set an MLS record with 74 points.

1. He also starred during the 2025 playoffs as Miami lifted its first MLS Cup.

From First Goal to 100th Against Cruz Azul

There was something almost poetic about Messi reaching the milestone against Cruz Azul.

The Mexican side was the opponent when Messi scored his first Inter Miami goal in July 2023, when he struck a stoppage-time free kick to complete a 2-1 victory on his debut.

More than three years later, the same club watched Messi write another chapter in his Miami story.

The 39-year-old needed just 115 appearances to reach 100 goals for the club.

His 100th arrived in the 24th minute when Luis Suárez delivered a perfectly lofted cross from the right.

Messi attacked the ball, outjumped his marker and headed it into the net; a rare headed finish from a player more accustomed to producing his magic with his feet.

Messi’s Fastest 100-Goal Run

The landmark has come quicker for Messi at Inter Miami than at any other team he has represented.

He reached 100 goals for Barcelona in 188 games and needed 174 appearances to reach the same figure for Argentina.

At Miami, it took only 115 matches.

His Inter Miami tally now includes

1. 76 MLS goals,
2. 14 Leagues Cup goals,
3. eight in the Concacaf Champions Cup and
4. one at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Overall, Messi has now scored 929 goals for club and country.

He has also been leading MLS this season with 19 goals in 22 games.

Casemiro Puts the Trophy Beyond Doubt

Messi was not finished creating history.

In the 81st minute, he turned provider when his corner found Casemiro, who headed the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

The goal continued an extraordinary scoring run for the Brazilian midfielder.

Casemiro has now scored four goals in his last five matches, with all four coming through headers.

Before the goalless outing against Nashville on Saturday, he had scored in three consecutive games against CF Montreal, Atlanta United and Chicago.

This time, his latest header delivered silverware.

A Trophy on Day One for González

For Cristian González, the night could hardly have been better.

He led his first training session with Inter Miami on Tuesday after arriving in Miami from Argentina earlier that morning.

The club had reached an agreement with González on August 27 to replace interim coach Guillermo Hoyos, but his arrival was delayed while he waited for his work permit.

His first match finally arrived and so did his first trophy.

"Leo [Messi] told me I was going to become a champion, and he made it happen," González said.

"Moving forward, this gives us a huge morale boost, it's a vital element for us, and while we've achieved this, we have to keep going."

‘It’s Become a Normality for Messi’ - De Paul

Messi’s milestone may feel almost routine given the extraordinary standards he has set throughout his career, but Rodrigo de Paul insists it should never be treated that way.

"It's become a normality [for Messi] but it isn't," De Paul said about his Miami teammate.

"We have to enjoy him, admire him, see him with the love that he plays each game. Luckily, I've had him by my side for many years."

"I try to enjoy him to the maximum."

Now, with another trophy secured and another historic milestone reached, Messi's latest Miami chapter has produced yet another night to remember.

Inter Miami return to MLS action on Sunday when they host San Diego FC at Nu Stadium.

The Herons enter the game second in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville SC, but after another trophy night, all eyes remain firmly fixed on the man who continues to make history in South Florida.