The 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup gave the Herons their first title of the year and the fifth trophy in club history. It also provided the perfect start for Cristian “Kily” González, who began his tenure as head coach by winning a championship in his very first match.
Inter Miami Chases the Treble: The Two Trophies Messi Can Still Win in 2026
Lionel Messi has already lifted one trophy this season, but Inter Miami’s 2026 campaign could still end with a much bigger collection of silverware.
However, Miami still has two major objectives ahead: competing for the Supporters’ Shield during the final stretch of the regular season and then defending the MLS Cup it won in 2025.
And, as has been the case since his arrival in the United States, almost everything once again revolves around Messi.
Messi Reaches 100 Goals and Now Wants More Trophies
The final against Cruz Azul also produced another historic milestone.
Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute and reached 100 goals for Inter Miami in just 115 official matches. He then made another contribution by delivering the corner kick for Casemiro, who sealed the 2-0 victory in the 81st minute.
The Argentine became the first player in club history to reach 100 goals.
His numbers also show how his scoring production has increased since arriving in Florida: he scored 11 times in 2023, 23 in 2024 and exploded for 43 goals during the 2025 campaign. So far in 2026, he has added another 23.
The milestone carries even more significance because Inter Miami has transformed its history during that period. Since the Argentine’s arrival, the club has won the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, the Eastern Conference title and the 2025 MLS Cup, before adding the 2026 Campeones Cup to the collection.
The Supporters’ Shield Is the Next Objective
The road to another trophy, however, will not be easy.
Inter Miami has 45 points after 25 matches and sits nine points behind leader Nashville SC, which has 54. Vancouver Whitecaps is also ahead of the Herons in the overall standings with 46 points, meaning Miami needs to make up ground during the final stretch.
The advantage for Miami is that there are still nine regular-season matches remaining.
The schedule includes games against San Diego FC, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, New York City FC, Atlanta United, New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati, New England Revolution and Charlotte FC before Decision Day on November 7.
If it finishes with the most points in MLS, it would be the second Supporters’ Shield in club history after winning the trophy in 2024.
Inter Miami Will Also Defend the MLS Cup
Then comes the biggest objective at the end of the season.
Inter Miami is the reigning MLS Cup champion after winning the title in 2025 and will attempt to defend its crown during the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The league will conclude its regular season on November 7 and, after observing that month’s international window, will stage a continuous month of playoff action before crowning the new MLS Cup champion.
For Messi, the opportunity is enormous.
At 39, he has just reached 100 goals for Inter Miami, has already won the Campeones Cup and still has two major trophies available before the end of the calendar year.
The season is entering its decisive stretch, and the Herons do not simply have a crown to defend.
They also have the opportunity to finish 2026 with three trophies.
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini
Inter Miami CF
