Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to Campeones Cup win, takes trophy tally to 48
Lionel Messi added another trophy to his remarkable collection as Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the 2026 Campeones Cup. The Argentine scored his 100th goal for the club and then turned provider, putting his fingerprints all over another Inter Miami trophy.
Inter Miami made the breakthrough in the 24th minute through a rather unexpected Suarez-Messi combination. Luis Suarez found himself out on the right and sent a cross into the box, with Messi rising brilliantly to beat his marker and head the ball into the net.GOOOOAL! Messiโs 100th comes in a final. pic.twitter.com/mpY4Jhrj1cโ Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 17, 2026
The goal was Messi's 100th for Inter Miami in 115 appearances since arriving in 2023. There was something fitting about the milestone too, as the Argentine once again found a way to make himself the centre of attention when a trophy was up for grabs.
Messi was not finished after getting on the scoresheet. In the 81st minute, he whipped in a corner that found Casemiro in space, with the Brazilian making no mistake with his header to double Inter Miami's advantage and put the result beyond doubt. Case in the air. You know the rest. pic.twitter.com/onTlmHTmVNโ Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 17, 2026
The victory means Inter Miami have now picked up four trophies since Messi's arrival in South Florida. The Leagues Cup came first in 2023, followed by the Supporters' Shield in 2024 and MLS Cup in 2025, before Messi added another winner's medal to the collection with the Campeones Cup.
Messi's latest piece of silverware takes his career tally to 48, adding yet another trophy to a collection that has become almost impossible to keep up with. The Campeones Cup may not carry the same weight as a World Cup or Champions League, but it is still another winner's medal for the Argentine. Esto nunca cansa pic.twitter.com/2QwDJw4ZTiโ Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 17, 2026
The trophy came from a competition between the reigning MLS Cup champions and the Liga MX Campeรยณn de Campeones winners. Inter Miami came out on top against Cruz Azul, giving Messi another reason to celebrate in what has already been a trophy-filled spell in South Florida.
Messi remains at the top of the all-time list, with some of the game's biggest names behind him.Lionel Messi: 48 trophiesDani Alves: 43 trophiesMarquinhos: 42 trophiesAndres Iniesta: 40 trophies
And the fun part for Miami fans is that Messi's trophy collection with the club is growing too. Since arriving in 2023, he has now helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup, Supporters' Shield, MLS Cup and Campeones Cup.INTER MIAMI KEEP ADDING SILVERWARE
Inter Miami may not be running away with MLS at the moment, but their trophy cabinet certainly is not complaining. They sit second in the Eastern Conference with 45 points, nine behind leaders Nashville SC, and now have another cup to show for their campaign.
Messi's influence was all over the latest triumph. He scored the opener with a superb header for his 100th Inter Miami goal before setting up Casemiro from a corner for the second, putting his stamp on another final.
It has been quite the transformation for Inter Miami since Messi walked through the door. Four trophies later, the Argentine is still finding ways to make the big moments feel rather familiar.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 17, 2026 12:03 IST
