Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami against Cruz Azul at Nu Stadium to help them win the 2026 Campeones Cup. He has reached a stage of his career where almost every new achievement feels
like another addition to an already extraordinary story. At the age of 39, the Argentine continues to find ways to surprise. His career numbers remain staggering, with 49 trophies, 929 goals and 424 assists across more than two decades at the top level. Messi’s journey has taken him from Rosario to Barcelona, Paris and now Miami, with success following him at every major stop. At Barcelona, he became the face of one of the greatest teams of the modern era. With Argentina, he eventually ended the long wait for major international success, winning the World Cup, two Copa America titles and the Finalissima.
– 49 Trophies.
– 929 Goals.
– 424 Assists.THE GREATEST EVER IN SPORTING HISTORY – LIONEL MESSI 🥹🐐
We are witnessing the Ultimate version of a Sportsperson. https://t.co/ZIoMEo2Gsl
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 17, 2026
Messi has always been capable of changing a game without necessarily dominating it from start to finish. That evolution has been particularly noticeable in Miami. His arrival in Major League Soccer also changed Inter Miami’s standing almost overnight. The club attracted a global audience, sold out stadiums and began assembling an experienced squad around its No. 10. There were obvious questions when Messi left European football on whether he could maintain the same influence in a new league and at this stage of his career. His performances in Miami have largely answered that on the pitch. He continues to produce goals and assists, while the trophies have kept coming.
Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-0 to win Campeones Cup
Inter Miami added another trophy to its rapidly growing collection on September 16 after beating Cruz Azul 2-0 at Nu Stadium to win the 2026 Campeones Cup. The one-off match brought together the reigning MLS Cup champions and the winners of Mexico’s Campeon de Campeones. For Miami, it was more than just another final. The victory meant the club has now won a trophy in every season since Messi arrived in 2023. Messi was at the centre of the latest success as he opened the scoring in the 24th minute, rising to meet a cross from Luis Suarez and heading the ball into the net. It was his 100th goal for Inter Miami and the 929th of his career.
Messi’s first goal for Inter Miami came against Cruz Azul in the 2023 Leagues Cup. Three years later, the same opponent was on the other side as Messi scored another important goal for the club. Cruz Azul had chances to get back into the game, including a header that hit the post, but Miami stayed composed. The second goal eventually arrived in the 81st minute when Casemiro headed in a corner from Messi to make it 2-0.
The Campeones Cup adds another trophy to their collection. Players such as Suarez, Casemiro and De Paul have given Miami experience around Messi, but the Argentine remains the player opponents have to plan for most carefully. A club that had never won a major trophy before Messi’s arrival is now regularly playing finals and lifting silverware. The 2-0 win over Cruz Azul was another reminder of how quickly that change has happened and of how much longer Messi’s Miami story may still have left to run.
