Casemiro headed home the goal that sealed Inter Miami’s 2-0 win over Cruz Azul on Wednesday, as Lionel Messi marked his 100th goal for the club with his 49th career trophy.
Messi put Miami ahead in the 24th minute, rising to meet Luis Suárez’s cross and head the ball past Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier.
The goal brought up Messi’s century in his 115th appearance for Inter Miami, and came against the same opponent he scored against on his club debut in 2023.
Cruz Azul stayed in the contest until the closing stages, but Casemiro ended their hopes in the 81st minute.
Messi’s corner found the Brazilian midfielder, who rose above the defence to head in Miami’s second goal and secure the club’s first Campeones Cup title.
For Messi, the trophy was his fourth with Inter Miami, after the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters’ Shield and 2025 MLS Cup. It took his career haul to 49, according to reports following the final.
His 49 trophies include 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Reys, eight Spanish Super Cups, four Champions League titles, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona; two Ligue 1 titles and one French Super Cup with Paris Saint-Germain; four trophies with Inter Miami; and six major honours with Argentina, including the 2022 World Cup, two Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2008 Olympic gold and the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
It was also a significant night for Casemiro, who not only supplied the decisive finish but helped Miami close out its first Campeones Cup triumph.
The victory came in Cristian “Kily” González’s first match as Inter Miami coach.
