Lionel Messi’s heartfelt return on Wednesday, after his father’s passing, couldn’t prevent Inter Miami from being knocked out of the Leagues Cup. The team was eliminated with a 3-2 loss to Mexico’s Leon.
After attending the funeral of his father and agent, Jorge, in Argentina, Messi returned to Florida. Jorge had passed away at age 68. At half-time of the game upon his return, Messi received a massive ovation as he entered the field.
Earlier today, Messi posted a heartfelt tribute to his father on social media, revealing uncertainty about his future in football. He admitted, “I’m not sure what I’ll do without you. I have significant doubts about continuing with football for much longer.”
Even though Miami held a 1-0 lead, Leon staged a comeback with two goals from Colombian Daniel Arcila that secured their position as the first team to reach the quarter-finals in the tournament featuring MLS and LigaMx clubs.
Even though Messi didn’t play in Miami’s loss to Monterrey, he made himself available for the pivotal group match. Yannick Bright, who scored for Miami, praised Messi’s return as “incredible” and highlighted the team’s support for their captain.
Casemiro, a Brazilian teammate, commented on Messi’s dedication despite personal challenges and noted that he serves as “an example for all of us.”
Leon coach Javier Gandolfi commended Messi for his resilience and distinct character during challenging times.
This is the first time since 2023 that Miami was eliminated from the Leagues Cup during its early stages. Back in 2023, Messi played a pivotal role in helping Miami win the trophy alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. In 2025, although Miami made it to the final, they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Seattle Sounders. The match became notorious due to a post-game brawl resulting in Luis Suarez’s suspension from this year’s tournament.
