Inter Miami club star supported his teammate Lionel Messi during the team's match played today against Monterrey in the Leagues Cup, as the Argentine captain is going through extremely difficult circumstances following the death of his father, Jorge Messi.
Inter Miami lost to Monterrey by two goals to one, while Messi did not participate in this match as he traveled to Rosario to attend his father's burial ceremony (details from here).
Inter Miami began honoring Messi before the start of the match, as players from both teams observed a minute of silence for the death of Jorge, after which the match began.
Support for Messi continued during the match, as Inter Miami fans chanted for the Argentine star in the tenth minute of the game and raised banners that read: "Stay strong, Leo".
Inter Miami's support for Messi came this time from Rodrigo De Paul, his teammate on the Argentina national team.
De Paul took off his shirt after scoring Inter Miami's only goal today, revealing he was wearing Messi's shirt with the American club, and pointed to it in front of the crowd in support of his teammate amid the loss of his father.
De Paul repeated the same celebration Messi performed in 2020 during the Barcelona vs Osasuna match to honor the late legend Diego Armando Maradona at the time.
Messi took off his shirt after his goal against Osasuna to reveal the number 10 shirt with Newell's Old Boys, and De Paul repeated the same thing today.
The support from Inter Miami players extended to Luis Suárez, who wrote on his official Instagram account: "My friend Messi, I send you and your family my heartfelt condolences. Your father will continue to watch you with great pride, as he always did. All support and love to the Messi family in this difficult time. Rest in peace, Jorge."
El homenaje de La Familia para Lionel Messi y su familia.Sucedió al minuto 10 del primer tiempo.#InterMiamiCF #Messi pic.twitter.com/5qxX7VEHnv — José Armando (@Jarm21) August 9, 2026@Jarm21
Minuto de silencio en memoria de Jorge Messi, padre de Leo Messi. Descanse en paz. pic.twitter.com/assxDP4P6J — MLS Español (@MLSes) August 9, 2026@MLSes
