Lionel Messi returned to the pitch for Inter Miami on Wednesday night during a Leagues Cup match against Club Leon, marking his first competitive appearance following the death of his father, Jorge, just days prior, according to Le Soir. The Argentine forward entered the game during the second half after missing the team’s previous fixture against Monterrey on Saturday.
Despite the return of the 2022 World Cup champion, Inter Miami suffered a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Club Leon, resulting in the Florida franchise’s elimination from the tournament during the group stage, as reported by RMC Sport. The team had held a 1-0 lead at halftime before Club Leon mounted a comeback in the second half.
Match Details and Pitch Return
Playing in the Leagues Cup on Wednesday evening, Lionel Messi entered the fixture at halftime to replace goalscorer Daniel Pinter, as detailed by Le Soir. The 39-year-old forward received a warm ovation from the crowd upon his return to competitive action. However, a brace from Daniel Arcila in the 50th and 83rd minutes, alongside a goal from Juan Pablo Dominguez in the 61st minute, secured the victory for Club Leon and eliminated Inter Miami from the competition, according to RMC Sport.
During the match, a notable moment occurred when opponent Jhohan Romaña briefly embraced and lifted the Argentine star following an on-field action, as noted by RMC Sport. The appearance followed a brief period of absence during which Messi sat out the Saturday fixture against Monterrey, which ended in a 2-1 loss for the team.
Tributes and Doubts About the Future
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, the eight-time Ballon d’or winner published an emotional tribute to his late father on his social media channels, expressing profound grief and uncertainty regarding his playing career, according to Le Soir. In his public statement, Messi acknowledged that he holds “beaucoup de doutes sur le fait de continuer encore longtemps” in professional football.
“Papa, je n’arrive toujours pas à croire que tu sois parti,” Messi wrote in the message published on social media, as cited by RMC Sport. “Je ne tombe pas, ou plutôt, je ne veux pas tomber. C’est très difficile pour moi d’imaginer que je ne vais plus te voir, que nous ne parlerons plus. Je sais que tu souffrais et que c’est mieux comme ça, mais tu es parti beaucoup trop tôt. Il nous restait encore tant de choses à vivre ensemble.”
Context of Recent Months
The loss of his father follows a demanding schedule for the player, who recently competed in the World Cup final on July 19 against Spain before quickly returning to club duties with Inter Miami, as reported by RMC Sport. In his written tribute, the forward recalled conversations with his father regarding that tournament:
“Tu me demandais tellement de jouer la dernière Coupe du monde et, quelques jours avant qu’elle ne commence, c’est à ce moment-là que tu es tombé malade,” Messi stated, according to RMC Sport. “C’était la première fois que tu n’allais pas être là pour un tournoi, mais maman me disait que tu allais aller mieux et que tu irais suffisamment mieux pour voyager. Je te disais qu’on allait atteindre la finale pour que tu puisses venir.”
Inter Miami has not yet released further official statements regarding the player’s availability for upcoming Major League Soccer fixtures following their exit from the Leagues Cup. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and engage with ongoing sports coverage in the comments section below.
Related reading