Messi 48th Career Trophy: Inter Miami Win Campeones Cup
Lionel Messi has added another major achievement to his remarkable career after winning his 48th career trophy with Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar helped Inter Miami defeat Cruz Azul 2-0 in the 2026 Campeones Cup, scoring the opening goal before setting up Casemiro for the second.
The victory gave Messi another piece of silverware just weeks after the 2026 FIFA World Cup and continued Inter Miami's run of winning at least one trophy in every season since the Argentine's arrival in South Florida.
For Messi, the night was even more memorable because his opening goal was also his 100th goal for Inter Miami. He reached the milestone in the 24th minute with a header from a Luis Suárez cross, giving Miami an early advantage in the final.
Messi Reaches 48th Career Trophy
Messi's 48th career trophy adds another chapter to a collection that already includes league titles, domestic cups, continental trophies and international honours.
Before joining Inter Miami, Messi had already built one of the most decorated careers in football history. During his Barcelona years, he won 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies, seven Copa del Rey titles and eight Spanish Super Cups, among other honours. He later added Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain before achieving major international success with Argentina.
His international résumé includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024. The latest Campeones Cup success means Messi has now continued his trophy-winning career deep into his time in Major League Soccer.
Messi Scores His 100th Inter Miami Goal
The Campeones Cup final was also significant because Messi reached another personal milestone.
The 24th-minute opener against Cruz Azul was Messi's 100th goal for Inter Miami. He reached the century mark in his 115th appearance for the club, with Luis Suárez providing the assist for the historic goal.
Messi's goal also demonstrated that he continues to have an important influence in major matches for Inter Miami. Rather than simply contributing through his overall play, the Argentine directly influenced both goals in the final.
After scoring the opener, Messi later delivered the corner that Casemiro headed into the net in the 81st minute. The Brazilian midfielder's goal gave Inter Miami a 2-0 lead and effectively secured the trophy for the home side.
Inter Miami Continue Their Trophy Run
The Campeones Cup is the fourth major trophy Inter Miami have won since Messi joined the club in 2023.
Messi's first trophy with the club came only weeks after his arrival, when Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup. That was the first trophy in the club's history.
The following year, Inter Miami won the 2024 Supporters' Shield after producing a record-breaking MLS regular season. The team finished with 74 points, setting a new MLS single-season points record at the time.
Inter Miami then claimed their first MLS Cup in 2025 after defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1. Messi contributed two assists in that final, helping the club secure the biggest domestic trophy in its young history.
The 2026 Campeones Cup victory now extends that sequence:
- 2023: Leagues Cup
- 2024: Supporters' Shield
- 2025: MLS Cup
- 2026: Campeones Cup
That means Inter Miami have won a trophy in four consecutive seasons since Messi's arrival.
Messi and Inter Miami Defeat Cruz Azul
Cruz Azul entered the final looking to claim the Campeones Cup for the first time, but Inter Miami controlled the decisive moments.
Messi gave Miami the lead in the 24th minute before Cruz Azul attempted to respond. The Mexican side created opportunities during the match, including a header that struck the post, but Inter Miami eventually put the game beyond reach.
Casemiro scored in the 81st minute after connecting with a Messi corner, making the final score 2-0. The result also gave MLS its fourth victory against Liga MX in the history of the Campeones Cup competition.
Messi was subsequently named the Campeones Cup MVP, adding individual recognition to a night already filled with milestones.
What the 48th Trophy Means for Messi's Legacy
The latest trophy further extends Messi's extraordinary collection of honours.
His career has included success at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Argentina, and now Inter Miami. FIFA's record of his major honours highlights four Champions League titles, 10 La Liga championships and numerous domestic and international trophies.
The addition of the Campeones Cup is particularly notable because it shows that Messi's trophy-winning career has continued after his move away from European football.
Since arriving in MLS, Messi and Inter Miami have become one of the defining stories in American soccer. His presence has coincided with a period of unprecedented trophy success for the club.
The Argentine's influence has also gone beyond trophies. His 100th Inter Miami goal against Cruz Azul demonstrates his scoring contribution, while his assist for Casemiro shows his continued ability to create decisive moments for teammates.
Messi's Trophy Collection Continues to Grow
At 48 career trophies, Messi has reached another remarkable milestone. His latest success with Inter Miami adds the 2026 Campeones Cup to a résumé that already contains virtually every major honour available at club and international level.
The victory over Cruz Azul also gives Inter Miami another trophy to celebrate and maintains their run of winning silverware every season since Messi joined the club.
For fans following Lionel Messi's 48th trophy news, the Campeones Cup final will stand out for two reasons: Messi lifted another trophy and reached 100 goals for Inter Miami on the same night.
With Inter Miami continuing their MLS campaign, the focus will now turn to what comes next for Messi and the club. But one thing is already clear: the Argentine legend has added another piece of silverware to one of football's most decorated careers.
