Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami on Wednesday, heading in the opener as Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-0 at their Nu Stadium to win the Campeones Cup. The 39-year-old Argentina great, who joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, also provided the assist for Miami's second goal.
How did the match unfold? Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute, heading in a cross from Luis Suarez, the BBC reported. He thought he had added a second when he raced clear on goal and slotted in a shot, only for the effort to be disallowed for offside. In the 81st minute he delivered the corner from which Casemiro, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder, headed in Miami's second goal to give the club its first Campeones Cup, an annual match contested by the US and Mexican cup winners. "He remains the best. He proved it at the World Cup and continues to prove it in MLS," Casemiro said.
Where does the award race stand? Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or eight times, is on the 30-player shortlist for 2026, with Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane the favourite, the BBC reported. Messi scored eight goals and registered four assists as Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final, where they were beaten by Spain. Wednesday's performance came after his August announcement that he was retiring from international football, and after he said he was considering his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge. The winner of the award will be announced at a ceremony in London on 26 October.
What did Beckham say? Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, a former England captain, said Messi deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or, the BBC reported. "When you see him do things like this, 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," said Beckham. "He deserves to be considered for the Ballon d'Or. In my opinion, he should win it."
Figures referenced: Lionel Messi. — JudgeMarket.
