Lionel Messi has returned to professional football following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away last Saturday at the age of 68. Jorge, who played a pivotal role in his son’s career by serving as his agent and managing his business affairs, left behind a legacy that made Messi’s immediate return to the field uncertain. Despite the personal tragedy, the Argentine star rejoined his club within a week to participate in their latest fixture.
The match, held at the Nu Stadium, saw Messi start on the bench before entering the game as a substitute for Daniel Pinter at the beginning of the second half. He was greeted with a warm reception from the supporters upon his arrival. This appearance followed an emotional social media tribute Messi posted on Wednesday, in which he reflected on his father’s passing and expressed uncertainty regarding his own future.
Inter Miami initially showed promise, taking the lead in the 42nd minute through a goal by Daniel Pinter. Five minutes after Messi entered the fray, Leon equalized with a strike from Daniel Arcila. Miami regained the lead in the 54th minute thanks to a goal by Yannick Bright, but the advantage was short-lived as Juan Pablo Dominguez leveled the score just seven minutes later. The decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute when Arcila netted his second goal of the match, securing a 3-2 victory for Leon.
This loss marks an early exit for Inter Miami from the Leagues Cup, ending their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. The club, which won the tournament in 2023 and reached the final last year, faced a disappointing conclusion to their campaign this season. Conversely, Leon has maintained a strong form, securing victories in both of their opening tournament matches and climbing to the top of the Liga MX standings.
