Kely Gonzalez: Lionel Messi deserves the Ballon d’Or after Inter Miami triumph

Kely Gonzalez praised Lionel Messi after the Argentine inspired Inter Miami to their first Champions Cup title, saying there was no doubt his compatriot deserved to win the Ballon d’Or.

Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-0, with Messi scoring one goal and creating another as they ended a run of three consecutive matches without victory. The result also delivered a trophy in Gonzalez’s first match in charge.

“Messi told me he would make me a champion, and he kept his promise,” Gonzalez said at his post-match news conference. “I have no words to describe how I feel. It is happiness, joy and many emotions all at once.”

The new Inter Miami manager described Messi as “number one” and said the award should go to him.

“There is no player like him, and I have no doubt for a moment that the Ballon d’Or should go to him,” Gonzalez added. “At this age, after the World Cup he had, and because of what he represents to everyone, not only in football but also in terms of the values ​​of life, it would be fair for him to win it.”

Gonzalez said the victory had provided a significant boost to the squad, particularly after Inter Miami’s exits from the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup had left them facing the possibility of ending the season without a trophy.

Inter Miami are currently second in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, nine points behind leaders Nashville.

The club appointed Gonzalez as their new manager at the end of August, replacing Guillermo Hoyos. However, work-permit issues meant he had to wait until the meeting with Cruz Azul to take charge from the touchline.

Gonzalez’s previous managerial position was with Argentine club Platense, where his time ended in October last year.

The Champions Cup is the first title Inter Miami have won in the competition. They entered it as winners of the MLS Cup, which they claimed for the first time in their history in December.

Messi’s goal against Cruz Azul took his Inter Miami total to 100 in 115 appearances. He also created the decisive second goal in the 81st minute, which was scored by Casemiro.

Across his 115 matches for the club, Messi has contributed to 158 goals. The Argentina captain now has 48 trophies in his career, including four with Inter Miami.

Those four honours are the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, the 2025 MLS Cup and the 2026 Champions Cup.