Lionel Messi celebrated winning his first Champions Cup during his time with Inter Miami. He did so by scoring with a powerful header in the 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul.
Obviously, he would never rank such a goal above the header he scored in Rome in 2009 in the Champions League final against Manchester United, but the style and power with which he went into the play certainly make it a contender for the most beautiful and utterly unexpected goals of his career.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup
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Via: @mls on Apple TV pic.twitter.com/AduebkbfU3
Advertisement— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) September 17, 2026
Inter Miami isn’t just experiencing the… Messi effect. The impact the Argentine star has had is far greater than what the team’s staff and David Beckham could have ever imagined. Obviously, there were expectations and demands, but everything the GOAT has achieved has left those who thought he would “slow down” in MLS with no grounds for complaint.
He lifted the Champions Cup with great joy and a smile, which he is beginning to regain after the very difficult days that followed the death of his beloved father. Leo now has 48 titles to his name, five of which were won in the pink jersey of Inter Miami on American soil.
Before him, the club was the poor relative of the Eastern Conference in MLS, had never won anything, was constantly mentioned in discussions about the worst teams to ever appear in the league, and… suddenly, the Messiah arrived. Fast forward to the Argentine’s era: he has played 115 matches for the club, has 100 goals and 56 assists, and has undeniably changed the team’s modern history and prestige.
¡LEO MESSI LIFTS THE CAMPEONES CUP!
©@InterMiamiCF is crowned champion of the @CampeonesCup.
pic.twitter.com/TjIFep83rY
— MLS Español (@MLSes) September 17, 2026
In Miami, he’s celebrated the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters Shield, the MLS Eastern Conference title, the 2025 MLS Cup, and this year’s Champions Cup.
And yes. He plays, scores, celebrates, and enjoys the games, knowing that the obstacles he faces aren’t top-tier. But who could diminish his achievements? Just as Cristiano does in Saudi Arabia, Messi in the U.S. is performing at a high level and hitting his goals… out of habit.
Leo Messi celebrating with Inter Miami fans after winning the
— KING MESSI 10 (@messi10_rey) September 17, 2026
*photo source: AP
