Messi Grieves Father; Leagues Cup Loss

Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami for the Leagues Cup after grieving his father Jorge Messi, appearing off the bench as Miami fell 3-2 to Club León. His late entrance included a corner that helped Miami briefly take a 2-1 lead, though León recovered and Messi’s late opportunities were thwarted. Messi had travelled to Argentina for his father’s funeral and posted a heartfelt tribute, admitting doubts about how long he will continue playing. The death of Jorge Messi, who acted as Messi’s agent, has drawn tributes from peers such as Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo, who offered messages of support. Rumors and comments around Neymar’s future potential move to Inter Miami have circulated amid the ongoing emotional period for Messi and the club. Messi has publicly reflected on how his father’s illness and absence affected him through the World Cup and the 2026 season, signaling uncertainty about retirement.