Inter Miami honors Jorge Messi; De Paul scores, reveals Messi kit in tribute
Inter Miami held a pregame tribute for Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father, who died at 68. Before a Leagues Cup match against Monterrey at Nu Stadium, a minute of silence was observed and players wore black armbands. Lionel Messi was absent, traveling to Rosario, Argentina. Rodrigo De Paul captained the team, scored, and revealed a Messi No. 10 jersey in tribute. Despite the emotional start, Miami lost 2-1. Tributes also came from Barcelona and MLS. Messi’s return date is unclear.
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Messi scores first goal since father's death as Inter Miami draws with Philadelphia Union
Lionel Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge, who died on August 8 at age 68, in Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. In the 26th minute, Messi shook off his marker and fired a left-footed shot into the net to give Miami a 2-1 lead. He also assisted on the team's first goal. The draw ended a three-game losing streak for the defending MLS Cup champions. Messi's goal was his 13th of the season, placing him one behind the MLS Golden Boot leader. The 39-year-old had paid an emotional tribute to his father last week, saying he did not know how to continue without him. Messi also captained Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they lost to Spain.
Inter Miami Coach: Messi Will Decide Whether to Play, We Will Always Be With Him
Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos stated that Lionel Messi will decide for himself whether to play in the upcoming MLS match against Nashville, following the recent death of Messi's father, Jorge. Messi returned to Miami from Rosario after bidding farewell to his father and played in the second half of a Leagues Cup match, which Miami lost, failing to advance. The team now faces a crucial MLS match against Eastern Conference leaders Nashville, who have 40 points, two more than Miami. Hoyos emphasized the need for silence and patience, allowing Messi to cope with his grief at his own pace. Messi trained normally with the team on Friday, and signs suggest he may play.
Leon Coach: Words Are Superfluous; Messi Is the Greatest of All Time
Lionel Messi played for Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup match against Club Leon just hours after returning to Miami following the death of his father, Jorge. He played the second half but could not prevent a 2-3 loss and elimination. Despite the defeat, Messi's resilience and determination drew widespread respect. After the match, Leon players and coaching staff paid tribute to him with hugs and kind words. Leon coach Javier Gandolfi stated that Messi's actions on and off the pitch prove he is the best in history, calling him a 'beast' born for the game. Leon's club also posted a photo of a hug with Messi on social media, expressing respect and affection from the football world.
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Casemiro Praises Messi's Dedication After Family Tragedy, Inter Miami Eliminated from Leagues Cup
Inter Miami lost 2-3 to Club León, failing to advance from the Leagues Cup group stage. After the match, midfielders Casemiro and Yannick Bright spoke to the media, focusing on Lionel Messi's return to play just days after his father's death. Casemiro called Messi a role model, stating he had never seen such dedication in his career and thanked him for his commitment to the team. Bright revealed Messi's return inspired the entire locker room, with players feeling compelled to give 150% effort for him. Both players emphasized supporting Messi during his difficult time while the team prepares for upcoming matches.
Read sourceMessi Returns After Father's Death, Inter Miami Eliminated from Leagues Cup
Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami in the 2026 Leagues Cup after the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Coming off the bench in the second half, Messi helped create a goal but could not prevent a 2-3 loss to Mexico's León, resulting in Inter Miami's elimination. After the match, Messi quickly left the field without exchanging jerseys with opponents, appearing subdued. Despite several scoring opportunities, including a late chance saved by the goalkeeper and a missed header by a teammate in stoppage time, Messi was unable to equalize. The match marked an emotional return for the star player following a brief trip to Argentina for his father's funeral.
Read sourceMessi Returns to Pitch Days After Father's Death, Plays Through Grief in Leagues Cup Loss
Lionel Messi returned to play for Inter Miami just four days after the death of his father, Jorge, coming off the bench in the second half of a Leagues Cup match against Mexico's León. Hours earlier, he had published a deeply emotional open letter on Instagram, expressing his grief and uncertainty about his future in football. Despite a 2-3 loss that eliminated Miami from the tournament, Messi's decision to play was widely seen as a tribute to his father, who loved watching him on the field. The match was marked by fan chants and a heartfelt hug from an opponent. The article, written by Olé reporter Hernán Claus, emphasizes that Messi's resilience and love for football transcended the result, honoring his father through both words and action.
Read sourceMessi Returns to Inter Miami Bench After Father's Funeral
Lionel Messi has returned to Inter Miami's squad for their Leagues Cup group stage match against Mexican club Leon on August 13. The pre-match squad list shows Messi on the bench. Messi's father and long-time agent, Jorge Messi, recently passed away in Rosario, Argentina at age 68. After his father's death, Messi returned to Argentina to be with his family and missed Inter Miami's previous Leagues Cup match, a 1-2 loss to Monterrey. Messi paid tribute to his father on social media, thanking him for everything. Before the match, Messi arrived at the stadium with the team and was seen walking onto the pitch holding mate tea. He will be available from the bench for this match.
Read sourceInter Miami Defender Mula: We Will Stand by Messi Through Everything Ahead
Inter Miami right-back Facundo Mula and head coach Guillermo Hoyos expressed support for Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge, during a pre-match press conference. Mula stated that the team is with Messi from afar and will continue to support him whenever he returns. Hoyos acknowledged the profound pain of the loss. The article also notes that during a previous match against Monterrey, fans observed a minute of silence and displayed a banner for Messi, while De Paul paid tribute by revealing a Messi jersey after scoring. Inter Miami faces Club León in a crucial Leagues Cup match, needing a win and other results to advance, currently sitting 11th with 3 points.
De Paul Honors Messi by Revealing His Jersey After Scoring
Following the recent passing of Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, at age 68, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul paid a touching tribute during Inter Miami's home match against Monterrey. De Paul wore a Messi No. 10 jersey underneath his own uniform. After scoring a goal, he removed his outer jersey to reveal Messi's jersey, a gesture widely shared on social media. The article notes Messi had flown back to Argentina to bid farewell to his father. The tribute occurred in the context of the match between Monterrey and Inter Miami, with discussion in the Hupu soccer community about whether such an action could result in a yellow card.
Read sourceDe Paul Scores, Reveals Messi Jersey in Tribute After Father's Death
During a Leagues Cup match between Inter Miami and Monterrey on August 9, Rodrigo De Paul scored a goal following a cross-field assist from Casemiro. After scoring, De Paul removed his jersey to reveal a Messi shirt underneath, showing support and tribute to Lionel Messi, who had returned to Argentina due to his father's passing. De Paul received a yellow card for the celebration. Messi missed the match as he traveled to Argentina to bid farewell to his father, Jorge Messi, who died at age 68. The gesture was widely noted as a display of solidarity and friendship between the two Argentine teammates.
Inter Miami honors Lionel Messi's late father Jorge with tribute; De Paul scores wearing Messi kit
Inter Miami held a pregame tribute for Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi's father, who died at age 68 after an illness. Before the Leagues Cup match against Monterrey at Nu Stadium, a minute of silence was observed, and Miami players wore black armbands. Lionel Messi was absent, having traveled to Rosario, Argentina, to be with family. Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's close friend and Argentina teammate, captained the team and scored the opening goal in the 32nd minute. He celebrated by removing his shirt to reveal a Messi No. 10 kit underneath. Despite the emotional tribute, Inter Miami lost 2-1 to Monterrey, with goals from Hugo Cuypers and Diego Rossi. Tributes also came from Barcelona, Newell's Old Boys, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Messi's return date to the club is unclear.
Read sourceInter Miami Honors Lionel Messi's Late Father Jorge with Tribute; De Paul Scores and Reveals Messi Kit
Inter Miami paid tribute to Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi's father, who died at age 68 after an illness. Before a Leagues Cup match against Liga MX's Monterrey at Nu Stadium, the club held a minute of silence, and players wore black armbands. Lionel Messi was absent, having traveled to Rosario, Argentina, to be with family. Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's close friend and Argentina teammate, captained the side and scored the opening goal in the 32nd minute. He removed his shirt to reveal a Messi No. 10 kit underneath as a tribute. Despite the emotional start, Miami lost 2-1 to Monterrey, with goals from Hugo Cuypers and Diego Rossi. Tributes also came from Barcelona, which observed a moment of silence before a friendly, and from MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Messi had scored twice in Miami's previous Leagues Cup win; his return date is uncertain.
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