Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami on Wednesday night, making his first appearance since the death of his father, Jorge Messi.
The 68-year-old Jorge Messi reportedly passed away after battling an illness, leaving the Argentina captain to deal with a deeply personal loss.
Messi came on as a second-half substitute in Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup clash against Club León and was welcomed onto the pitch with a loud ovation from supporters.
The 38-year-old forward, however, could not inspire Inter Miami to victory as Club León secured a 3-2 win.
The defeat ended Miami’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the tournament after the club recorded a victory over Atlético San Luis and suffered an earlier loss to CF Monterrey.
Inter Miami had enjoyed a strong run in previous editions of the competition, reaching last year’s final and winning the 2023 tournament.
For Messi, the match was significant mainly because of his return to football following the loss of his father. His appearance drew strong support from fans, who applauded the Argentine star as he stepped onto the field.
Although he was unable to change the outcome of the match, Messi’s return marked his first step back onto the pitch during a difficult period for the football superstar and his family.
