On Wednesday, Lionel Messi marked a milestone for Inter Miami by scoring his 100th goal for the club in a 2‑0 victory over Cruz Azul that secured the Campeones Cup, the annual contest between the United States and Mexican cup winners.
Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a header from a Luis Suárez cross, before adding a second that was later ruled offside. He also delivered the corner that saw former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro head in the winner in the 81st minute.
Inter Miami co‑owner and former England captain David Beckham, who sits on the club’s board, hailed Messi’s performance and said the Argentine “deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or.” Beckham added that at 39, Messi is still performing at the highest level and should win the award.
Messi’s 2026 season has already seen him net eight goals and provide four assists as Argentina advanced to the World Cup final, where they were defeated by Spain. He now has 12 career World Cup assists, including ten in knockout stages – a record that no other player has matched.
He is the second‑highest World Cup goal scorer with 21 goals, behind Kylian Mbappé’s 22. The 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist includes 30 players, featuring England’s Harry Kane, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Spain’s Lamine Yamal, and PSG’s Ferran Torres.
The 70th anniversary of the award will be celebrated with a ceremony in London on 26 October. Messi’s recent milestone, combined with his continued excellence on the field, has reignited discussions about his candidacy.
Following the match, Casemiro reflected on the significance of the win, noting the importance of enjoying the moment as the future of football remains uncertain. He praised Messi’s ongoing contributions, calling him “the best” and highlighting his impact at the World Cup and in MLS.
