Lionel Messi returns for Inter Miami four days after father's death

Lionel Messi returned to football just four days after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, making an emotional appearance for Inter Miami in their crucial Leagues Cup clash against Club León on Wednesday, August 12. Messi’s return came as a surprise given how recently he had travelled to his hometown of Rosario for his father’s funeral. Jorge Messi died on August 8 at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness. He had played a central role in his son’s career, serving as his agent and managing his business affairs from the early stages of Messi’s rise.

Messi was named among the substitutes for the match and came on at the start of the second half. He was given a loud ovation by the fans at Miami’s Nu Stadium as he stepped on to the field for his first appearance since his father’s death. The return was particularly poignant because of the uncertainty Messi himself had expressed about his future in football in a tribute to his father earlier on Wednesday. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you. I don't know how to carry on. I only played football, and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I'm going to keep doing it for much longer," Messi wrote.

The 39-year-old also reflected on the unique relationship he shared with Jorge, who was far more than just his father and had remained closely involved in his professional journey. "You were my dad, my friend and my representative," Messi wrote, recalling how Jorge would take him to training sessions and make sure he was present for his matches. Jorge Messi’s importance to his son’s career extended from Messi’s childhood in Rosario to his emergence as one of football’s greatest players. He remained a trusted adviser and handled his son’s affairs throughout his career.

Before his return, Messi had taken time away from Inter Miami following his father’s death. He had travelled to Argentina over the weekend and missed Miami’s 2-1 defeat to Monterrey on Saturday. Despite Messi’s comeback, Inter Miami were unable to secure progression in the Leagues Cup. Club León produced a second-half turnaround to win 3-2 and advance to the knockout stage. Dániel Pintér had put Inter Miami ahead in the 42nd minute, with Ian Fray providing the assist. León responded through Daniel Arcila, who scored twice, including the decisive goal in the 83rd minute, while Juan Pablo Domínguez also found the net. Yannick Bright scored Inter Miami’s second goal.

Arcila’s first came in the 50th minute when he finished from the centre of the box. He then struck again in the 83rd minute to put León ahead, completing the turnaround after Miami had led at half-time. Messi came on for Dániel Pintér at the beginning of the second half and played the entire half, but could not prevent Miami from suffering another defeat after surrendering a lead.

The result ended Inter Miami’s hopes of another deep run in the Leagues Cup. The Herons had won the tournament in 2023 and reached the final last year. Their hopes of progressing this time were already slim after they entered the match 12th in the MLS standings following the loss to Monterrey. Under the competition’s format, only the top four teams from the MLS standings and the top four from Liga MX advance to the quarterfinals. León, meanwhile, moved to the top of the Liga MX standings after winning its opening two matches of the tournament.