Sports Desk: Lionel Messi has dazzled the football world countless times with the magic of his feet. But on a memorable final night at Inter Miami’s home ground, fans witnessed a different side of the Argentine superstar. This time, Messi found the net with a header, reaching his 100th goal in an Inter Miami shirt. Casemiro later doubled the lead with another header as Miami defeated Mexico’s Cruz Azul 2-0 to lift the Campeones Cup.

Inter Miami started the match on the front foot in front of their home fans. In the 24th minute, Messi headed home a superb cross from Luis Suárez. The goal not only put Miami ahead but also marked a significant personal milestone for the Argentine. It was his 100th goal for the club. The 39-year-old reached the century mark in just 114 appearances for Inter Miami. It is the fastest 100-goal milestone of his career for any club.

Messi appeared to have scored again in the final. In the 55th minute, he sent the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net from a Suárez pass. However, the goal was ruled out for offside. Miami’s momentum did not suffer, and in the 81st minute, Casemiro headed home from Messi’s corner. The former Brazil captain produced a precise finish to make it 2-0, and that scoreline ultimately secured the trophy for Miami.

The understanding between Messi and Casemiro has become increasingly familiar at Inter Miami. Messi has provided three of Casemiro’s four goals for the club, and their combination once again produced a crucial goal in the final.

Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair also played a major role in the victory. He made four crucial saves to deny Cruz Azul and keep a clean sheet. As a result, the night of Messi’s 100th goal ended with Inter Miami celebrating another international trophy. The Campeones Cup has been held since 2018, bringing together the champions of Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. This time, Inter Miami lifted the trophy on home soil.

Sports Desk: Football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the announcement of this year’s Ballon d’Or winner, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal among the names being widely discussed as favorites. However, former England football legend David Beckham believes the prestigious award should go to Lionel Messi.

On Thursday (September 17), Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul in the final of the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup to lift the trophy. Messi played a direct role in both of Inter Miami’s goals. He scored the opening goal himself before setting up the second, which Casemiro headed into the net.

Speaking to Apple TV, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said, “After seeing his performance tonight and the way he played at the World Cup, it’s fair to say that being in the Ballon d’Or conversation again is no fluke. He was one of the best players in the tournament, and he has had an incredible year.”

Beckham added, “To go to a World Cup at 39 and have such an impact in every game is something special. Nobody else is playing football at this level at that age. So I think it’s absolutely reasonable to consider him for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it. There are great players on the list, like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, but when it comes to Leo, I will always be one of his biggest supporters.”

Messi’s influence at Inter Miami has also been significant over the past year. Last season, he played a key role in helping the club win its first MLS Cup. He also helped Argentina reach the World Cup final for a second consecutive time. Messi became the first player in history to start in three World Cup finals. He also produced an impressive campaign at the World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing four assists

BUENOS AIRES — Argentina captain Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing a definitive close to a legendary 21-year career with La Albiceleste. The 39-year-old icon shared the emotional news via social media, revealing that he originally penned his farewell letter on July 21—just two days after Argentina’s heartbreaking 1–0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. While he initially contemplated making the announcement then, he delayed the public statement following the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, in August.

“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi wrote. “It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts deep down—but I understand that the time has come. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”

A Storied Legacy of Redemption and Glory

Messi walks away as a national hero and the heartbeat of modern Argentine football. After years of near-misses and heavy scrutiny early in his career—which famously included a brief, short-lived international retirement in 2016—Messi authored one of the greatest redemption arcs in sports history.

He finishes his international career holding virtually every major record for his country, racking up 125 goals in 207 record-breaking appearances. His major trophy haul includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup, back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

His crowning achievement came in Qatar in 2022, when he dragged Argentina to global glory, cementing his status alongside Diego Maradona. Even in his final international tournament this past summer, Messi dazzled with eight goals and four assists, guiding the defending champions all the way to the World Cup final before falling narrowly to Spain.

“Now I’ll Be One of You”

In his farewell message, Messi expressed profound gratitude to the fans, his family, and his teammates who shared the journey with him.

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside,” Messi said. “Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones. … Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!”

With his international chapter officially closed, Messi will turn his full focus toward his club career with Inter Miami in MLS, leaving the football world to reflect on the departure of one of the greatest artists the sport has ever seen.