Lionel Messi, the Argentine icon who announced his international retirement weeks ago, scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami on Wednesday, helping the Florida-based side win the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul. The 39-year-old continues to defy age, and former England captain David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, has backed him for a record ninth Ballon d'Or.
The match, the annual clash between MLS and Liga MX champions, saw Messi open the scoring in the 24th minute with a rare diving header. Luis Suarez crossed from the byline, and the 5-foot-7 Messi outjumped Willer Ditta to give Miami the lead. It was Inter Miami's first Campeones Cup triumph, sealed by a late Messi corner that Casemiro headed home in the 81st minute. The victory marked Messi's first trophy of the year, two months after losing the FIFA World Cup 2026 final to Spain with Argentina.
After the game, Beckham led the praise: "When you see him do things like this tonight, when you see him have the World Cup that he's had … there is no one at 39 that's doing that, and doing it at that level. So he deserves to be considered for the Ballon d'Or. In my opinion, he should win it." Brazil international Casemiro, who joined Inter Miami from Manchester United in the summer, added: "We have to enjoy this because we don't know how long we'll have it. What he has done and continues to do for football is incredible … he remains the best."
Cruz Azul had chances, with Jose Paradela's shot saved by Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair early on, and Gabriel Fernandez hitting the post in the 67th minute. Messi appeared to have scored his 101st Miami goal early in the second half, but was ruled offside. The trophy came in new Inter Miami head coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez's first game in charge, after visa delays limited his preparations.
Messi's eight Ballon d'Or titles stand three clear of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite the World Cup final defeat, Messi will continue to play for Argentina, having been announced for a friendly against Benin on October 6. The Campeones Cup was the eighth edition, always hosted by the MLS participant, and Mexican teams had won the previous three before Miami's victory.
Source: www.aljazeera.com