Messi returns to action after father's death, hints at retirement

Lionel Messi returned to the field for Inter Miami as a substitute on Wednesday, just days after the death of his father and a poignant social media post where he expressed uncertainty about continuing his football career. His father, Jorge Messi, passed away last week in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness.

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I am really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer.

In an emotional social media statement, the 39-year-old Argentine forward revealed he was contemplating his future in the sport, stating, "I am really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer." After attending a private funeral in Argentina on Sunday, Messi traveled back to the United States.

He entered the match at halftime during Inter Miami's 3-2 loss to Leon in the final group game of the Leagues Cup. Messi had been absent for the team's previous 2-1 defeat against Monterrey. This loss marked the first time Inter Miami has been eliminated in the opening phase of the competition since its expansion in 2023, the same year Messi joined and led the team to a championship.

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incredible

Jorge Messi had served as his son's agent since Lionel was 14, witnessing his rise to become one of the sport's greatest players and standing by him when Argentina won the World Cup in 2022. Messi wrote that his father had urged him to play in "one last World Cup" even as his health declined. Teammate Yannick Bright described Messi's return as "incredible," emphasizing the team's desire to support their captain during this difficult time.

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to play in one last World Cup