Lionel Messi has done it yet again.

At the age of 39, the nominee for the 2026 ‘Ballon d'Or’ led Inter Miami to victory in the Campeones Cup, after defeating Cruz Azul.

Thanks to a header from the Rosario-born player, the American side won 2–0 in the clash between the MLS champions and the Liga MX champions.

The victory not only added to the club’s trophy haul but also saw the Argentine captain enjoy another historic night on a personal level.

A man for decisive matches

Thanks to this latest triumph, Messi has set a new record: he has cemented his place as the player with the most goals (36) in finals in the history of football.

Throughout his career, the Argentine has played in 53 finals, scoring 36 goals and providing 18 assists. An impressive record in decisive matches.

Furthermore, thanks to this goal against Cruz Azul, Messi reached the 100-goal mark whilst wearing the Inter Miami shirt, the club he joined in mid-2023.

To be even more precise, the star has made 115 appearances in the United States, with a total of 157 direct goal contributions (100 goals and 57 assists).

A figure that underlines the sporting transformation and success of an Inter Miami side that has won four titles since his arrival.

Messi’s titles with Inter Miami

  • Leagues Cup (2023)
  • MLS Supporters’ Shield (2024)
  • MLS Cup (2025)
  • Campeones Cup (2026)

The most successful player in history

With this victory in the Champions Cup, Messi has now won 48 titles in his professional career, cementing his status as the most successful footballer of all time.

In the all-time rankings, he is followed by the Brazilians Marquinhos and Dani Alves, both with 43 titles.

At 39, the Rosario-born star’s relevance is undeniable. Deciding championships at this stage of his career confirms that his impact on the game remains undiminished.

Ballon d'Or’s most successful player continues to write golden pages in the history of football.

An eternal legacy.