Lionel Messi scores and assists for fourth title with Inter Miami

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi lifted the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, a tournament contested between the reigning United States Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup champion and the winner of the Mexican league’s Campen de Campeones super cup.

In the match that marked Argentine former player Cristian “Kily” Gonzlez’s debut as Inter Miami head coach, Messi scored one goal and assisted on another as his team beat Mexican club Cruz Azul 2-0 at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida.

It was enough for the recently retired Argentina captain to take his tally with the Herons to the 100-goal mark. The goal also brought Messi’s career total to 929, putting him within 50 of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

It was Messi’s fourth title with Inter Miami, after the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and the 2025 MLS title.

However, there is some uncertainty over whether the title should be included in the Argentine star’s trophy count an all-time record of 47. North American football confederation CONCACAF and, consequently, world football governing body FIFA does not recognize the competition as an official tournament because it is organized directly by the U.S. and Mexican federations.

Regardless, Inter Miami’s Campeones Cup victory ended a three-year run of Mexican clubs winning the tournament. Liga MX sides had claimed the previous three editions, while New York City FC was the last U.S. team to lift the trophy, in 2022.

Tensions amid the celebrations It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Messi, who was caught on camera having a tense interaction with MLS commissioner Don Garber.

Footage shows Messi approaching the executive during post-match celebrations following the trophy presentation, visibly annoyed. The two held a brief conversation, and the Argentine star can be seen telling Garber, “Not with me.”

It remains unclear what triggered the heated exchange, although Messi and Garber don’t have the best relationship, as the executive suspended the Argentine for a match after he skipped the All-Star Game because it clashed with the Argentine squad’s schedule. 

At the time, the MLS commissioner said it was his obligation to treat everyone equally.