Messi nets 100th Miami goal en route to Campeones Cup win - ESPN

MIAMI — Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami in all competitions after heading home the opener in a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday night at Nu Stadium.

Messi's goal put Miami up 1-0 in the annual match between the champion of MLS and Liga MX before a late header from Casemiro put the game away to hand new coach Cristian «Kily» González a trophy in his first match in charge.

Luis Suarez set up the opener in the 24th minute with a perfectly lofted cross from the right side that Messi ran onto, outjumping his marker and scoring a rare goal with his head.

González led his first training session with Inter Miami on Tuesday after landing in Miami from Argentina earlier in the morning. The team had reached an agreement with González to replace interim coach Guillermo Hoyos on Aug. 27, but he was unable to take over until receiving his work permit.

His first game as Miami coach will be one to remember with Messi scoring his 100th goal for the club and the team picking up a trophy on the night.

Messi, a World Cup winner in 2022, reached the milestone in only 115 games for Inter Miami, marking the quickest he has recorded 100 goals for any team he has represented. Messi previously reached the mark with Barcelona in 188 games and 174 games with Argentina.

Since joining Miami in 2023, Messi has 76 goals in MLS, 14 in Leagues Cup action, eight in the Concacaf Champions Cup and one at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Messi made an instant impact in south Florida since signing with Miami, leading the Herons to the 2023 Leagues Cup title just weeks after marking his debut against Cruz Azul — the team against which he scored his first Miami goal.

The Inter Miami captain also guided the team to the 2024