Lionel Messi's suffering continues, captain of Inter Miami and the Argentina national team, as in 25 days he suffered three blows, the first of which was losing the 2026 World Cup final, then the death of his father Jorge, before being subjected to a sudden elimination at dawn today, Thursday.
Messi returned to participate with Inter Miami just 4 days after his father's death, as the American team's captain appeared in the second half of the match against Club León, within the Leagues Cup competitions.
Despite Messi's return, Inter Miami was unable to continue its path in the tournament, after losing 2-3, exiting the competition from the group stage.
Messi returns amid a touching tribute
Inter Miami started the match strongly and finished the first half leading by a goal to nothing, before Messi entered at the start of the second half in place of goalscorer Daniel Pintér.
We missed you, Messi. Welcome back. ❤ pic.twitter.com/WE83EqfBx4@MLS
The Argentine star received a warm reception from the fans, who gave him a special tribute in his first appearance since missing the previous match against Monterrey, which ended with Inter Miami losing 1-2.
But Messi's return was not enough to save his team, as Club León turned the score around in the second half.
Daniel Arcia scored two goals in the 50th and 83rd minutes, while Juan Pablo Domínguez added the third goal in the 61st minute, securing the Mexican team's victory and eliminating Inter Miami from the tournament.
During one of the plays in the match, defender Johan Romaña embraced Messi after surrounding him, then lifted him up and hugged him, in a moment that carried a touching human touch amid the difficult circumstances the player is going through.
A smile and a hug for Messi 🩷Jhohan Romaña with a lovely gesture 🫂(Via @LeaguesCup) pic.twitter.com/ijg7U9aBP1@ESPNFC
A touching message from Messi to his father
Hours before the match, Messi posted a touching message mourning his father Jorge, who passed away 4 days earlier, in which he spoke about the difficulty of accepting his departure, and also hinted at doubts he has about continuing to play football for a long time.
Messi wrote on his social media accounts: "I love you, Dad."
He added: "Dad, I still can't believe you're gone. I'm not falling apart, or rather I don't want to fall apart. It's very hard for me to imagine that I won't see you again, and that we won't talk again. I know you were suffering, and that your departure was perhaps better this way, but you left far too soon. We still had so much to live together."
His father's dream of the World Cup
Messi also spoke in his message about his father's relationship with his participation in the World Cup, confirming that Jorge strongly wished to see him play in the last edition of the tournament.
He said: "You were strongly asking me to play in the last World Cup, and a few days before it started, you got sick at that time."
He added: "It was the first time you wouldn't be there during a tournament, but Mom was telling me that you would get better, and that your condition would allow you to travel. I was telling you that we would reach the final so you could attend."
Messi quickly returned to Inter Miami's ranks after losing the World Cup final to Spain on July 19, before receiving the shock of his father Jorge's death, returning to the field just 4 days later in a match that ended with his team's exit from the Leagues Cup.
