Inter Miami and Cruz Azul Meet for Campeones Cup, a Title Neither Has Won

Neither club has this trophy in the cabinet, and that alone gives this final some extra flavor. Inter Miami and Cruz Azul face off in the eighth edition of the Campeones Cup, and both sides arrive with the same itch: they've never lifted it. So yes, there's history to be written on both ends.

Here's the number worth keeping in mind before kickoff: Liga MX dominates the history of this tournament, and in the last three editions Mexican clubs took home the trophy in a row. Cruz Azul, then, shows up with the job (or the motivation, depending on how you look at it) of keeping that streak alive.

How did both sides get to the final?

None of this happened by chance or courtesy invitation. Inter Miami earned its spot by winning the 2025 MLS Cup, while Cruz Azul did the same after being crowned in Liga MX's most recent Campeon de Campeones. Two different paths that end up crossing in the same final.

The names that could decide it

On Miami's side, one name says it all: Lionel Messi. But the roster doesn't stop there, with pieces like Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, German Berterame and Casemiro rounding out a midfield and attack with more than enough class for any opponent.

On the other side, La Maquina has plenty to answer with too. Erik Lira arrives riding a wave of international recognition after his performance at the World Cup, and he's not alone: Omar Campos and Jose Paradela are two more pieces that keep the sky blue side running.

Date, time and venue

The match is set for Wednesday, September 16 at Estadio Nu in Miami, Florida. For anyone planning around time zones: 6:00 pm Mexico City time, 7:00 pm in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, 8:00 pm Eastern time in the United States and 9:00 pm in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

As for the possible lineups, Inter Miami would go with Dayne St. Clair in goal; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon and Fricio Caicedo across the back; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright and Telasco Segovia in midfield; and up top, the trio of Lionel Messi, German Berterame and Luis Suarez.

Cruz Azul would answer with Kevin Mier between the posts; Jeremy Marquez, Willer Ditta, Gonzalo Piovi and Omar Campos on the back line; Agustin Palavecino, Erik Lira, Jose Paradela and Charly Rodriguez in midfield; and Carlos Rotondi alongside Nico Ibanez rounding out the attack.

A tournament with recent owners

Since it was first played in 2018, the Campeones Cup has seen a bit of everything: the 2020 edition was canceled due to the pandemic, and since then the trophy has passed through the hands of Columbus Crew (2021), NYCFC (2022), Tigres UANL (2023), America (2024) and Toluca (2025). Tigres had also won it back in the inaugural 2018 edition, and Atlanta United took the 2019 title. With such a Mexican-heavy track record in recent years, the question hangs in the air: can Inter Miami snap the streak on its own turf, or will Cruz Azul join the list of Mexican champions?