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Inter Miami are back in business. On Wednesday evening, the Herons defeated Cruz Azul 2–0 to lift the Campeones Cup for the first time in their history, with Lionel Messi guiding the club to his 49th career trophy.
Messi, 38, broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with an uncommon header, making it only the second headed goal of his career in a final and the first since his famous effort for FC Barcelona in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final.
Then, in the 81st minute, Messi whipped in a corner that found Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who powered a header into the net to wrap up the win, giving Miami their fourth piece of silverware and adding the Campeones Cup alongside the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters' Shield, and 2025 MLS Cup.
MESSI HEADS IT IN! 😱
Leo's 100th career goal for @InterMiamiCF opens the scoring against Cruz Azul in @CampeonesCup. pic.twitter.com/M1cI6nOIhC
The strike also represented Messi's 100th goal for Miami in 114 appearances across all competitions since arriving at the club in 2023, when he made his debut and netted his first goal against that very same Cruz Azul side in the Leagues Cup.
While the trophy triumph and the continued growth of Messi's legacy dominated the headlines, the match also marked the debut of new head coach Kily González on the sideline, three weeks after being appointed as Guillermo Hoyos's successor. Delays in obtaining U.S. work visas had postponed González's arrival, but few could have scripted a better beginning than a cup victory at home that ended a nine-match winless streak across all competitions.
Here are Sports Illustrated's three key takeaways from the contest.
Lionel Messi's Legend Grows
In each season since arriving with the Herons, Messi has delivered a piece of silverware. While the Campeones Cup may not carry the same prestige as other titles and does not serve as a gateway to further competitions, it could represent the final trophy of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's illustrious career.
Deployed on the left wing in González's first starting eleven—allowing longtime partner Luis Suárez to operate as a central striker—Messi was as electrifying as ever, gliding past opponents and creating three chances while completing three dribbles, on top of his goal and assist.
At 39 and having recently announced a farewell match with Argentina following his decision to step away from international football, it would have been understandable for the 2026 Ballon d'Or nominee to focus solely on MLS rather than a single-game cup tie. Instead, he was driven to claim the trophy and help drag Miami out of their slump.
His joy after the final whistle spoke volumes, as he danced with fans and reveled with his teammates, seemingly aware that chances to celebrate trophies are becoming increasingly rare—particularly given Miami's inconsistency in MLS, which makes the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup an ambitious target.
González Changes Defensive Setup
González will continue to fine-tune Inter Miami as they look to build momentum in MLS ahead of the playoffs, but his decision to restore Facundo Mura to the starting right-back role for the first time since Aug. 22 could prove to be a significant move.
Mura's presence behind Rodrigo De Paul in right midfield allowed for a more disciplined defensive structure and provided cover for 18-year-old center back Fricio Caicedo, who continued to fill in out of position at left back. Meanwhile, Casemiro's deployment into central defense remained an effective solution for a side that has lacked defensive cohesion in recent campaigns.
In the midfield three of the 4-3-3, González also handed Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza his first start, positioning him ahead of Caicedo in left midfield to provide additional cover on that flank when possession shifted left.
The defensive tweaks may have been subtle, but they proved effective, holding Cruz Azul to just four shots on target, while pushing Messi into a wider role continued to allow him to impact the game. González will undoubtedly continue to evolve his approach, but his early work on the touchline showed considerable promise.
Can Inter Miami Find Form?
With the victory ending their nine-game winless run, Miami can use it as a launchpad for a strong finish to the regular season over their remaining nine fixtures. Currently nine points adrift of Nashville SC at the top of the Eastern Conference and the Supporters' Shield race, the Herons are aiming to close the gap and secure at least second place for a favorable postseason seeding.
Fortunately, Miami face one of the more manageable remaining schedules in MLS, with six of their nine remaining opponents sitting below seventh in their respective conferences as they enter the final stretch of the season, beginning with Saturday's home clash against Western Conference ninth-place side San Diego FC.
Following a difficult post-World Cup stretch, Miami were in desperate need of a fresh voice in the dugout and a rallying moment to restore belief within the squad. Having both arrive on the same night could prove to be a pivotal turning point, with the season's most important moments still to come.