Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient, returned to action for Inter Miami on Wednesday as a substitute. This appearance occurred shortly after the death of his father, Jorge, who passed away at 68 in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness. The 39-year-old forward recently indicated through social media that he is contemplating his future in the sport, noting uncertainty about how much longer he will continue his professional career.
After attending a private funeral in his home country on Sunday, Messi traveled back to the United States. He entered the match at half-time during Inter Miami’s 3-2 loss to Leon in the Leagues Cup. While he missed a previous game against Monterrey, he chose to rejoin the squad for this critical matchup under coach Guillermo Hoyos. This result marked the first time Miami failed to advance past the opening phase of the tournament since the competition expanded in 2023.
Jorge Messi had acted as his son’s agent since he was a teenager, witnessing his rise to global stardom and joining him on the field when Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. Messi shared that his father had encouraged him to participate in one final tournament despite declining health. Following the loss to Leon, teammate Yannick Bright praised Messi’s dedication, while opposing coach Javier Gandolfi remarked on the star’s unique character and resilience.
