Messi returns to play for Inter Miami after father's death

Lionel Messi made a surprise return to the field for Inter Miami on August 12, 2026, entering as a substitute in the second half of their Leagues Cup match against León. The team was leading 2-1 at the time of his entry.

Messi had been absent from training and missed the previous Leagues Cup game, a 1-2 loss to Monterrey, after traveling to Argentina due to the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at 68. His appearance on the bench was unexpected, and he received a large ovation from the Inter Miami fans. He entered the game without warming up with the other substitutes.

Earlier on Wednesday, the 39-year-old shared an emotional message on Instagram reflecting on his father's passing. He expressed his grief and uncertainty about his future in football, questioning how he would continue without his father's support. Messi recalled playing in his first World Cup away from his father and wondered why he couldn't have waited until the end of his career to pass away.

Inter Miami currently faces an uphill battle to reach the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup. The team requires a large victory in their current match and needs several other Major League Soccer teams to lose their upcoming games.

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I don't know what I'm going to do without you, I don't know how to go on. I only played football and now I have many doubts about whether I will continue playing for much longer. You were by my side from the beginning, there was so little left until the end. Why didn't you hold on a little longer and we would have finished together?