Lionel Messi Returns To Inter Miami Action After Father's Death

Lionel Messi came disconnected the seat arsenic a second-half substitute successful Inter Miami's Leagues Cup lucifer against Léon, marking his archetypal on-pitch quality since the decease of his father.

Despite the instrumentality of the Argentina superstar, the Herons were defeated by the Liga MX squad, 3-2, which eliminated them from the competition. Only the apical 4 clubs from the MLS standings and the apical 4 from Liga MX volition beforehand to the quarterfinals.

Jorge Messi, who passed distant past week astatine 68, served arsenic Lionel Messi's cause during the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's career.

In an affectional station connected Instagram remembering his father, Lionel Messi stated: "I don’t cognize what I’m going to bash without you. I don’t cognize however to transportation on. All I ever did was play football, and present I person superior doubts astir whether I’ll support doing it for overmuch longer."

The 39-year-old Argentina superstar striker, who won the 2022 World Cup, are coming disconnected a extra-time nonaccomplishment to Spain successful the 2026 World Cup Final.

Messi, who's 1 of conscionable 2 players to look successful six World Cups (Portugal fable Cristiano Ronaldo is the other), tallied 8 goals and 4 assists crossed 8 matches successful the 2026 World Cup.

Messi is successful the midst of his 3rd full-time play and 4th play altogether with Inter Miami successful MLS. Through 15 matches successful the 2026 MLS season, Messi has totaled 12 goals and 7 assists.