Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami on Wednesday night. It came in a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup. The match was played at Nu Stadium, Miami’s new home ground. Messi’s goal was a header in the 24th minute. Luis Suárez delivered the cross, and Messi went airborne to nod it home. Later, in the 81st minute, Messi provided an assist for Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder headed in a corner to seal the win and the trophy.
This was Inter Miami’s fourth title since Messi joined the club. It was also the first trophy they have won at Nu Stadium. The stadium opened in April and has a capacity of 26,700. Managing owner Jorge Mas had said the new home would be a place for lifting more trophies. Five months later, that promise came true.
New head coach Cristian “Kily” González began his time in charge with a trophy. He said he did not have words to describe his feelings. He called it joy and happiness. He also said Messi told him he would make him a champion, and Messi kept his word.
Messi now has 48 titles between club and country. He is the most decorated soccer player of all time. After the match, he lifted the Campeones Cup on his own at first. The crowd roared its approval. His teammates then joined him for the official ceremony. They later showed the trophy to the La Familia supporters’ group.
Mas said Inter Miami is being built to lift trophies. He admitted it helps to have the best player in the world. He called it a vintage Messi performance. He said the club still has a lot to play for and wants to lift another trophy. He added that they will keep pushing to be the best team in the Americas.
Midfielder Yannick Bright praised Messi. He said Messi always wants to win and it is an inspiration. He called it contagious. Bright said he is happy and honoured to have Messi as a teammate. He called it the highlight of his life.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair said the fans showed what it means to play at Nu Stadium. He said the standard and expectation is to lift trophies every season. González said the team will give everything to win many more trophies.
Lionel Messi and MLS Commissioner Don Garber Tense Exchange Sparks Fan Debate After Campeones Cup Win
Lionel Messi had a tense exchange with MLS commissioner Don Garber after Inter Miami won the Campeones Cup. Video showed Messi approaching Garber twice. The two had an animated conversation. This happened right after Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-0. In that match, Messi scored his 100th goal for the club. He also set up Casemiro for the second goal.
The footage spread quickly online, and fans had mixed reactions. Some defended Messi. They said he is the captain and has every right to speak up. They feel he was complaining about unfair treatment his team has received. One fan said if Messi stayed quiet, people would call him a soft captain.
Other fans were critical. They said Messi is always complaining and it is getting annoying. One person wrote that Messi has never been a nice guy. That person claimed Messi was upset about referees no longer giving him free passes.
Some fans also criticised Don Garber. They blamed him for the slow growth of MLS and American soccer. One said the league would be better off without him. Another said Garber should show respect to Messi because Messi is the reason many people outside the US even know about MLS.
Not everyone agreed with that. One fan simply called Messi a “little dictator”. The exact topic of the conversation between Messi and Garber was not clear from the video. So fans were left to guess what it was about.
FAQs
Q. When did Messi score his 100th Inter Miami goal?
A. Messi scored it against Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup.
Q. What was the final score?
A. Inter Miami won 2-0.
Q. Who scored Inter Miami’s second goal?
A. Casemiro scored from a corner.
Q. How many titles does Messi now have?
A. Messi has 48 club and country titles.
Q. Who did Messi have a tense exchange with?
A. Messi had an animated exchange with MLS commissioner Don Garber.
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