Messi shines as Inter Miami win Campeones Cup

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi headed a goal and provided an assist as Inter Miami won the Campeones Cup on Wednesday night.

Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 in the annual clash between Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX champions.

It was Inter Miami’s first Campeones Cup triumph and came thanks to the Argentine superstar’s 100th goal for the reigning MLS Cup winners. A late Messi corner was headed home by Casemiro to seal the win.

Victory gave 39-year-old Messi his first trophy of the year, two months after the heartbreak of losing the 2026 World Cup final to Spain with Argentina.

After the game, Casemiro paid tribute to Messi, saying: “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. He proved it at the World Cup and continues to prove it in MLS.”

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Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said Messi deserved to win a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or.

He said: “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.”