Messi Returns After Father's Death, But Miami Loses

16.08.2026 10:01 HotInfo 11

Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami's lineup after the death of his father Jorge Messi, but his team was unsuccessful first in the League Cup and subsequently suffered another significant defeat in MLS. The Argentine footballer played on Wednesday, August 12, in Miami in the second half of a match against Mexican Leon, which Inter lost 2:3 and was eliminated already in the group stage. SITA ↗

Messi had previously traveled to Argentina for his father's funeral, who died on August 8 in Rosario at the age of 68 after a long illness. Jorge Horacio Messi was for many years his support, manager, agent, and advisor. Inter Miami during Messi's absence also lost to CF Monterrey 1:2, with a moment of silence held before the match and Rodrigo De Paul honored Jorge Messi with a gesture displaying the number 10. ekonomika.pravda.sk ↗

Upon his return to the pitch, Messi admitted in a published message his doubts about continuing his career. He also mentioned his effort to extend Argentina's participation in the World Championship finals so that his father would have time to recover. Index.hu ↗

However, new developments showed that his return was also accompanied by sporting setbacks. On Saturday, he made his first start for Inter Miami since his father's death, but according to published information, he missed a penalty, hit the post, and his team lost by a significant margin. During the same period, other players including Niklas Dorsch and Hany Mukhtar also made their mark in MLS. zurnal.pravda.sk ↗

The further development of Messi's career thus remains open. Family loss comes at a time when his future in club football as well as in the Argentine national team is again being discussed. ta3.com ↗

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