Messi scores his 100th goal with Inter Miami and wins the Campeones Cup

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami, securing his team the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul. At 39, he was once again the hero of a match that every year pits the winners of the North American and Mexican championships against each other.

He opened the scoring with a close-range header in the 24th minute, assisted by his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, marking his 100th goal in 115 appearances for Inter Miami in all competitions. By a curious coincidence, he had scored his first goal for the Florida team against the same club, Cruz Azul, with a free kick in early July 2023. To seal the victory on Wednesday, he provided the corner kick assist to Brazilian Casemiro in the 81st minute. "We have to enjoy it, because we don't know how long it will last. What he has done and continues to do for football is simply incredible.

He remains the best, he proved it at the World Cup and continues to prove it in MLS," the former Real Madrid player said after the match.

Messi announced his retirement from the national team at the end of August and will play his last match for the Albiceleste on October 6, in Buenos Aires.