Lionel Messi returned to play for Inter Miami on Wednesday after the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, as the team was narrowly defeated 3-2 by Leon in the Leagues Cup.
Although not in the starting line-up, Messi entered the match as a substitute for Daniel Pinter, who had given Inter Miami an early lead. The game, held at Inter Miami’s home ground, saw Leon equalise and eventually secure victory with a late goal, eliminating Miami from the knockout stage after the team finished the group stage with one win and two losses.
Messi’s father, Jorge, aged 68, passed away on Tuesday in Rosario. Messi had travelled to Rosario after attending a private memorial service for his father earlier in the week. Jorge Messi had been a central figure in Lionel’s life and career, serving as his agent and advisor.
Hours before the match, Messi posted an emotional tribute to his late father on Instagram. In his message, he described the deep bond they shared and reflected on the support his father provided throughout his football career. Messi expressed his grief, writing: “Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It has not sunk in–or rather, I do not want it to sink in. It is so hard to imagine that I would not see you again, that we would not talk anymore. I know you were suffering and that this is for the best, but you left too soon.”
He recalled how Jorge had encouraged him to participate in the 2026 World Cup despite his health decline, hoping to attend the tournament’s final. Messi said: “You kept asking me to play in that last World Cup, but just days before it started, your condition took a turn for the worse… I kept telling you we’d make it to the final so you could come.”
Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final but lost 1-0 to Spain. Messi was instrumental in the team’s performance, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. He recounted the pain of his father’s absence during the tournament, noting how he awaited his messages after each match and felt the loss acutely.
Messi also spoke about the difficulty in imagining his future without his father and questioned how much longer he would continue his football career. He praised Jorge’s unwavering presence from his childhood, describing how his father took him to training sessions and matches and remained a steady source of guidance and support.
Jorge Messi had played a significant role in managing Lionel’s career and facilitating his early move to Spain to join Barcelona’s youth academy, where the club supported his treatment for a growth hormone deficiency.
Concluding his tribute, Messi promised to keep his father’s memory alive in raising his children and thanked him for everything, writing: “I am going to miss you terribly, but you will always be with me… Rest in peace, and watch over us from up there just as you did down here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad.”
In a separate message on Instagram, Messi thanked fans for their support and respect for his family’s privacy during this difficult period.