Lionel Messi rejoined Inter Miami for Wednesday’s Leagues Cup match against Mexico’s Leon, mere days after the passing of his father and agent, Jorge. Despite receiving a warm welcome from the crowd upon his halftime entry, his efforts could not prevent Miami from suffering a 3-2 defeat, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
Following his return from his father’s funeral in Argentina, Messi shared on social media that the loss of his father has left him questioning the future of his career. Despite these personal struggles, he chose to play for Miami in this decisive group stage encounter, having missed the previous match against Monterrey.
Leon secured their comeback victory with two goals from Daniel Arcila, earning a spot in the quarter-finals. Inter Miami teammates and staff expressed deep admiration for Messi’s resilience and commitment during such a difficult time. Yannick Bright described the captain’s presence as incredible, while teammate Casemiro praised his dedication. Leon head coach Javier Gandolfi also noted that Messi’s actions highlight his unique character.
This exit marks the first time since the 2023 expansion of the tournament that Inter Miami has been knocked out in the opening phase. Last year, the team reached the final but was defeated by the Seattle Sounders, a match that ultimately led to the suspension of Luis Suarez for the current campaign.
