Messi Returns After Father's Death, Miami Exits Leagues Cup

Lionel Messi made an emotional return to Inter Miami on Wednesday after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68. Messi attended his father's funeral in Argentina on Sunday and flew back to Florida, where he played in the Leagues Cup match against Mexico's Leon.

He came on at half-time to a warm reception but could not prevent Miami's 3-2 defeat, which eliminated them from the tournament. Messi had previously missed a match against Monterrey due to his father's death.

In a heartfelt social media post, Messi expressed his doubts about continuing his football career, stating, “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on.” Miami initially led the match 1-0, but Leon's Daniel Arcila scored two goals to secure victory. This loss marked the first time Miami was knocked out in the opening phase of the Leagues Cup since its expansion in 2023.