Lionel Messi reached 100 goals for Inter Miami in their 2-0 Campeones Cup win over Cruz Azul, completing a remarkable circle after scoring his first Miami goal against the same opponent in 2023.
Lionel Messi reaches 100 Inter Miami goals against the same club he scored his first against
Lionel Messi has reached another major milestone after scoring his 100th goal for Inter Miami in their 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul.
The Argentine superstar opened the scoring in the Campeones Cup before Inter Miami went on to secure another trophy.
But there was an even more remarkable detail behind the goal.
Cruz Azul were also the opponents when Messi scored his very first goal for Inter Miami in 2023.
More than three years later, the same club was on the other side as Messi reached 100 goals in Miami colours.
Messi reaches 100 goals for Inter Miami
Messi entered the match against Cruz Azul needing one more goal to reach the historic milestone.
He did not have to wait long.
In the 24th minute, Luis Suárez delivered a cross into the penalty area and Messi found space in front of goal.
The 39-year-old rose to meet the ball and scored with a header to put Inter Miami ahead.
It was officially his 100th goal for the club in all competitions.
Inter Miami later confirmed that Messi had become the first player in club history to reach the milestone.
100 goals in only 115 appearances
Messi has reached 100 goals in just 115 appearances for Inter Miami.
That means he has averaged close to one goal per game since arriving in the United States.
His goals have come across four seasons:
2023: 11 goals
2024: 23 goals
2025: 43 goals
2026: 23 goals
The numbers underline how important Messi has been to Inter Miami since joining the club.
Goal No.1 and Goal No.100 against the same opponent
The biggest story behind the milestone may be the opponent.
Messi scored his first Inter Miami goal against Cruz Azul on July 21, 2023.
That goal became one of the most famous moments of his first season in the United States.
With the score level late in the match, Messi scored a stunning free-kick in stoppage time to give Inter Miami a 2-1 victory in the Leagues Cup.
It was the perfect introduction for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Now, his 100th Inter Miami goal has also come against Cruz Azul.
Goal No.1: Cruz Azul.
Goal No.100: Cruz Azul.
Few milestones could have been completed in a more fitting way.
A rare headed goal for Messi
The finish itself also made the moment unusual.
Messi has scored hundreds of goals with his left foot during his career.
Headers have been much less common.
But his 100th goal for Inter Miami came through the air.
Suárez created the opportunity with a cross, and Messi timed his movement before directing the ball into the net.
It gave Miami control of the match and moved Messi into another piece of club history.
Messi also wins another trophy
The night became even more special after the final whistle.
Inter Miami went on to beat Cruz Azul 2-0 and win the Campeones Cup.
Casemiro scored the second goal late in the match to secure the victory.
Messi therefore celebrated his 100th Inter Miami goal by lifting another trophy.
It was another important moment in a Miami career already filled with records, goals and titles.
First player in Inter Miami history to reach 100
Inter Miami were founded only a few years before Messi arrived.
Since joining the club, he has completely rewritten their record books.
No player had ever reached 100 goals for Inter Miami before him.
Messi is now the first.
His impact has gone far beyond scoring.
He has also helped the club win trophies and become one of the most followed teams in world football.
Another remarkable Messi milestone
Messi has spent his career reaching numbers that once looked impossible.
He scored 672 competitive goals for Barcelona and added another 32 during his time with Paris Saint-Germain.
Now he has reached three figures with Inter Miami as well.
His 100th Miami goal adds another chapter to one of football’s most extraordinary scoring careers.
But the connection with Cruz Azul gives this milestone something extra.
His first goal for Inter Miami came against them.
His 100th goal came against them too.
A perfect circle for Messi in Miami
Back in 2023, Messi announced his arrival in Miami with a dramatic free-kick against Cruz Azul.
At the time, nobody knew exactly how his journey in the United States would develop.
Three years later, the answer is becoming clearer.
Messi has now scored 100 goals for Inter Miami, become the club’s first player to reach the milestone and added another trophy to his collection.
And somehow, Cruz Azul were there again.
From goal No.1 to goal No.100, Messi’s Inter Miami story has now come full circle.
