Messi's Miami Chase First-Ever Trophy Against Cruz Azul

The Inter Miami CF team will be playing against the Cruz Azul team on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in the Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup, at Nu Stadium, 8 p.m. ET.

This knockout encounter will be between the MLS Cup Champions and the winners of the Liga MX. In this encounter, this would be Inter Miami’s first match in the race for the cup at their new stadium.

Cruz Azul will participate in the tournament since they have won Campeon de Campeones, having defeated Toluca with a scoreline of 3-1 in Apertura.

This is the second occasion where both sides meet each other. In fact, it was during the game held on July 21, 2023, that both Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets could play their debut for Inter Miami as substitutes in the Leagues Cup competition against Cruz Azul.

During this match, Messi played his part and scored a goal in the dying minutes of the match through a free kick, which resulted in the victory of Inter Miami by 2-1. This time, they will meet again, and that too for a trophy.

Gonzalez has been formally appointed as the coach since he is contracted till June 2028, thus replacing Guillermo Hoyos.

He is unlikely to change much of his style as a coach in his first tenure as one.

Messi is completely available and should be in the lineup after contributing 32 goals this season so far (19 goals and 13 assists), which makes him a sure bet for the third consecutive Landon Donovan MLS MVP title.

Messi scored in the last match for Inter Miami, causing the team to draw 2-2 against Nashville SC. His attacking teammate, Luis Suarez, also spoke about the social media abuse he and other teammates have been facing during the season.

The probable lineup will consist of the Miami team with a 4-3-3 formation: Goalkeeper - Dayne St. Clair; Defenders - Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon, and Fricio Caicedo; Midfielders - Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, and Telasco Segovia; and Attackers - Messi, German Berterame, and Luis Suarez.

The team takes to the field following its victory over Club America by a scoreline of 3-1 and has won ten Liga MX Championships, four Campeon de Campeones trophies, and seven Concacaf Champions Cup trophies, making a record tie with respect to the highest number of titles won. Jose Paradela, who plays as a playmaker, has scored two goals and made three assists from five games.

Miami is favored by bookmakers slightly, with odds of about 42% versus the 33% for Cruz Azul due mainly to home field advantage and celebrity status.

However, Cruz Azel have won 60% of their matches in their last five games, while Miami have performed erratically in the month past.