Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to Campeones Cup win

Lionel Messi secured his first trophy of 2026 on Wednesday, scoring his 100th goal for Inter Miami in a 2-0 Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul. The win was immediately followed by a heated post-match exchange between Messi and MLS commissioner Don Garber, captured on video as the team celebrated.

Multiple videos from the pitch at DRV PNK Stadium showed Messi pointing his finger at Garber on several occasions as they spoke. In one clip, the two men are seen pointing at each other during the conversation. The league and Inter Miami both declined to comment on the nature of the discussion, which occurred just moments after the trophy presentation. This incident adds a layer of intrigue to what was otherwise a celebratory night for the club, which has now won four major trophies since Messi's arrival in 2023.

The 39-year-old Argentine opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a rare diving header, connecting with a cross from Luis Suarez. He later provided the assist for the sealing goal, delivering a corner that was headed home by Casemiro in the 89th minute. This performance was Messi's first piece of silverware since the heartbreak of losing the 2026 World Cup final with Argentina to Spain two months ago. His teammate Casemiro was effusive in his praise. "We have to enjoy this because we don't know how long we'll have it," the former Real Madrid midfielder said. "What he has done and continues to do for football is incredible."

Yes, Messi is moving to purchase his second Spanish club in six months. He is set to buy the entirety of Deportivo Eldense from the Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group. The deal is pending due diligence and approval from Spain's High Council for Sports. Ruben Alfaro, the mayor of Elda, confirmed an agreement in principle exists. This follows Messi's purchase of a stake in UE Cornella, a fifth-division Catalan club, back in April 2026. These investments highlight his ongoing ties to Spanish football and an apparent focus on club ownership and development.

• Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal in the Campeones Cup final win on September 16, 2026.
• He was involved in a pointed, public discussion with MLS commissioner Don Garber after the match.
• The Argentine superstar is finalizing a deal to become the sole owner of Spanish club Deportivo Eldense.

Co-owner David Beckham argued Messi's sustained brilliance, even at 39, merits Ballon d'Or consideration. "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," Beckham stated. For fans tracking the team's success, you can review the full trophy haul and upcoming schedule on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page. Messi's week encapsulated his current reality: a match-winning force on the field, a powerful figure in league discussions, and a growing businessman off it.