Lionel Messi made a substitute appearance for Inter Miami on Wednesday, following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. His return to the pitch came during Miami’s 3-2 defeat by Leon in the final group game of the Leagues Cup, a match that saw Inter Miami eliminated from the competition.
Jorge Messi passed away last week in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68 after a long illness. Messi attended a private funeral in Argentina on Sunday before flying back to the United States. His appearance on the bench was unexpected, as he had not returned to training since his trip to Argentina.
Emotional Return to Action
Messi entered the game at half-time, receiving a huge ovation from the crowd at Miami’s Nu Stadium. Despite not warming up with the other substitutes, he made himself available to coach Guillermo Hoyos for the crucial match against the Mexican side. This marked the first time Miami has been knocked out in the opening phase of the Leagues Cup since its expansion in 2023, the same year Messi joined the team and they lifted the trophy.
Earlier, Messi had posted an emotional message on social media, expressing his grief and hinting at his future in football. The 39-year-old Argentina forward stated he was “really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer.” His father had been his agent since Messi was 14 and was by his side when he captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. Argentina reached the final of this summer’s tournament but were beaten 1-0 by Spain in extra time.
Messi’s return deeply impacted his teammates. Midfielder Yannick Bright, who scored Miami’s second goal against Leon, described Messi’s return as “incredible.” Bright added, “I wasn’t expecting it. It shows how much he cares. When I saw he was here, all I was thinking about was to give my 150% for him.” He also noted the team’s efforts to support their captain during this difficult time.
Teammates and Opponents React
Casemiro, an Inter Miami midfielder, praised Messi’s commitment, stating, “He is an example. He is surely going through a very bad time, but he showed a commitment not only to the players, but also to the club, that was incredible; I had never seen that in my life.” Casemiro further highlighted that this commitment is one of the reasons Messi is considered one of the greatest players in history.
Leon coach Javier Gandolfi also commented on Messi’s unique qualities, saying, “Today he demonstrated once more what he’s made of.”
Despite Messi’s efforts in the second half, which included trying to spark an offensive push, Inter Miami could not secure the win needed to advance. The match saw goals from Daniel Pinter in the 42nd minute and Yannick Bright in the 54th minute for Inter Miami. Leon’s goals came from Daniel Arcila in the 50th and 85th minutes, and Juan Pablo Domínguez in the 60th minute, securing a 3-2 victory for the Mexican side.
Inter Miami now only has the MLS Cup to play for this season, a trophy they won last year.
Source: bbc.com
