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

Lionel Messi made his return to the field for Inter Miami, entering as a substitute in the second half of their Leagues Cup match against León. The team ultimately lost the game 3-2. Messi had been in Argentina since the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68, and had consequently missed Inter Miami's previous Leagues Cup fixture against Monterrey, which they also lost. His appearance on the bench was unexpected, as he had not yet rejoined team training following his trip home. The crowd at Inter Miami's stadium gave Messi an immense ovation as he took the field, even though he had not warmed up with the other substitutes during halftime. Earlier in the week, Messi posted an emotional message on Instagram dedicated to his father, expressing his grief and uncertainty about his future in football. He wrote about how his father had been by his side from the beginning and questioned why he couldn't have held on until the end of their journey together.

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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 considerable doubts that I will continue doing it 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?