Messi to Contest Campeones Cup Final with Inter Miami After Cruz Azul Win

Lionel Messi may be on vacation in Rosario after a grueling World Cup campaign, but he already knows his next high-stakes match. Inter Miami will host Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup final on September 16 at Nu Stadium, after Cruz Azul won the Campeón de Campeones title in Mexico. The winner of that domestic Mexican final earns a spot in the one-off cross-league competition against the MLS champion — and Inter Miami, having won the MLS Cup in 2025, are the designated hosts.

The match gives Messi an immediate chance to add a new trophy to his collection. He has never won the Campeones Cup, which was first contested in 2018 between the MLS Cup winner and the Campeón de Campeones winner. For Inter Miami, it also represents an early opportunity to build momentum ahead of the MLS playoffs and the Leagues Cup later in the season.

Key facts

Final confirmed after Cruz Azul win

Cruz Azul defeated Toluca in the final of the Campeón de Campeones on Saturday, securing their place in the annual Trans-Atlantic matchup. The Mexican side, managed by Antonio Mohamed, beat Toluca in a match that also doubled as a domestic super cup. With that result, the Campeones Cup fixture was set: the Liga MX representative would travel to face Inter Miami.

Inter Miami had been waiting for their opponent since securing the MLS Cup at the end of last season. The club has not played a competitive match since that title, though they have been active in friendlies and the MLS regular season. The Campeones Cup offers a rare early-season final, adding urgency to Messi’s return from leave.

Messi’s break and return timetable

Messi has been granted extended time off following the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final but fell short of retaining the title. He has been spotted in Rosario attending lower-league matches and spending time with family. Inter Miami’s coaching staff, led by Guillermo Hoyos, also gave leave to Rodrigo De Paul, another Argentine international.

Neither player will be available for the remaining July matches, including the MLS All-Star Game. Hoyos has indicated that both are expected to rejoin the squad in early August, with a focus on being fit for the critical run-in of the MLS season, the Leagues Cup group stage, and the Campeones Cup final.

“We want them to arrive in good condition for the final part of the MLS and the Leagues Cup,” Hoyos said, without confirming a specific return date. The club has not officially stated when Messi and De Paul will train again, but early August remains the most likely window.

What the Campeones Cup means for Inter Miami

The Campeones Cup is a single-match title contested between the champions of MLS and the winner of the Campeón de Campeones (the Mexican league’s season-opening super cup). It is not a FIFA-recognized competition but is sanctioned by both CONCACAF and the respective leagues. For Inter Miami, winning it would give them a second piece of silverware in the space of a year, following the 2025 MLS Cup.

For Messi personally, a victory would add a trophy he has not yet won. While he has lifted the World Cup, Copa América, Champions League, and league titles in Europe and the U.S., the Campeones Cup has eluded him. Inter Miami last competed in this tournament in 2024, when they lost to Tigres UANL. This time, with home advantage, they enter as slight favorites.

Cruz Azul, however, are a historically strong side. They won the 2025–26 Liga MX Clausura and followed up with the Campeón de Campeones victory. Their squad includes experienced internationals and young talents, and they will be motivated to claim a cross-border scalp.

Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule

Before the September 16 final, Inter Miami have a busy slate. They will resume MLS play in August, likely with a full-strength squad once Messi and De Paul return. The Leagues Cup group stage also runs through August, with matches against Liga MX and MLS opposition. Hoyos will need to manage minutes carefully, especially for the two Argentine stars returning from a long break.

The Campeones Cup is scheduled on a Wednesday, which may require rotation for the preceding weekend’s league game. Exact broadcast details and ticket information have not been released yet, but the match is expected to draw significant attention from both U.S. and Mexican audiences.

Source: Ole – “Con final confirmada, el primer título por el que irá Messi con Inter Miami tras el Mundial” (https://www.ole.com.ar/mls/inter-miami/messi-intermiami-final-campeonescup-cruzazul_0_AViFl72yQE.html)