Lionel Messi's Emotional Tribute to His Late Father Amidst Inter Miami's Leagues Cup Exit

Messi Returns to the Field After Personal Loss

On August 13, in Miami, Argentina's legendary footballer Lionel Messi made his return to the pitch, but unfortunately, Inter Miami faced a disappointing exit from the Leagues Cup, losing 2-3 to Leon. Messi, who recently lost his father, Jorge, at the age of 68, did not start the match against Leon, who played at their home ground. Inter Miami was leading 1-0 at halftime when Messi was substituted in for Daniel Pinter, who had scored the opening goal.

Jorge Messi passed away on Saturday in a Rosario hospital, prompting Lionel to travel there for a private memorial service. Leon managed to equalize in the 50th minute with a goal from Daniel Arcila, but Inter Miami regained the lead shortly after with a strike from Yannick Bright in the 54th minute. The match saw further drama as Juan Dominguez equalized again in the 61st minute, and Arclina scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute, eliminating Inter Miami from the knockout stage. The team ended the group stage with one win and two losses, a stark contrast to their previous year's journey to the finals.

Before the match, Messi shared a heartfelt tribute to his father, reflecting on their close relationship and the significant impact Jorge had on his life and career. In an emotional message, Messi expressed his deep sorrow over the loss, admitting he struggles to accept that his father is gone.

In a touching Instagram post, Messi shared a photo with Jorge and conveyed his feelings of grief, stating that he still cannot believe his father has passed away. He reminisced about their shared dreams of the World Cup and the pain of losing him, revealing that Jorge had encouraged him to play in the 2026 World Cup despite his declining health. Messi had hoped that Jorge would recover enough to witness the tournament's final.

"Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It hasn’t sunk in, or rather, I don’t want it to. It’s hard to imagine not seeing you again or talking to you. I know you were suffering, and this is for the best, but you left too soon. We had so much left to enjoy together. You kept asking me to play in that last World Cup, but just days before it started, your condition worsened. Mom kept saying you’d improve and be able to travel. I kept telling you we’d make it to the final so you could come," Messi wrote.

Argentina, the defending champions, reached the final of the 2026 World Cup but fell short against Spain, losing 1-0. Messi played a crucial role in the tournament, contributing eight goals and four assists. He expressed that his father's absence was felt deeply after each match, as he waited for messages that would never come. Messi had hoped to win the trophy for Jorge but struggled with his physical limitations during the final.

"After every match, I waited for your message and missed hearing from you. That’s when I realized how serious the situation was. I kept thinking about going as far as possible to buy time for you to see a game. We made it to the final, but you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it for you, but I couldn’t. My legs just gave out. I tried to push past my limits, but I couldn’t. I never felt right," he shared.

Messi lamented that his father never got to hear the full story of the World Cup, including the events following the final. He regretted that they could not discuss the tournament, recalling their daily conversations and the close bond they shared.

"When I got back, you thought we’d lost the final on penalties. We never got to talk about what happened. You didn’t get to enjoy any of it. We didn’t become champions, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. You were right: I had to be there and play. I’m telling you this because it was the one thing we didn’t get to talk about. We spoke every day and saw each other whenever I could," he said.

Messi expressed uncertainty about his future in football, questioning how much longer he would continue playing without his father's support. He reflected on Jorge's unwavering encouragement throughout his career, noting that his father's greatest joy was seeing his family happy, especially when watching Messi play.

"I don’t know what I’m going to do without you; I don’t know how to go on. All I ever did was play soccer, and now I have serious doubts about whether I will keep doing it for much longer. You were by my side from the very beginning, and we were so close to the end. Why couldn’t you hold on just a little longer so we could finish this journey together? Your happiness came from seeing your family doing well, especially watching me play," he said.

Messi fondly remembered how his father supported his football journey from a young age, taking him to training sessions and never missing a match. He described Jorge as not only a father but also a friend and agent, praising his guidance and wisdom throughout his career.

"It was always like that, ever since I was little. You would take me to every practice right after getting home from work. Mom would take me to many of them because you were working. Of course, you never missed a single match. You suffered so much watching me, yet you enjoyed it too—even if you rarely praised me. You were a dad, a friend, and an agent. You were always exactly who you needed to be in any given moment, and you never put a foot wrong. Beyond the occasional argument or disagreement, you were always right. In the end, things always turned out just the way you said they would," he reflected.

Jorge Messi was instrumental in shaping Lionel's football career, transitioning from a steel factory supervisor to his son's agent and strategic advisor. He played a crucial role in Lionel's early career at Newell's Old Boys and facilitated his move to Barcelona's youth academy when Lionel was just 13. The club also covered the costs for Lionel's treatment for a growth hormone deficiency, which affected his development.

Messi expressed that he will miss his father deeply but intends to honor his memory by raising his children with the same values he received from his parents. He concluded his tribute by thanking Jorge for everything and asking him to watch over the family.

"I am going to miss you terribly, but you will always be with me—especially in how I raise my own children, because I am teaching and bringing them up just the way you and Mom did with me. Rest in peace, and watch over us from up there just as you did down here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad," Messi finished.

In his Instagram story, Messi expressed gratitude to fans and supporters for their kindness and respect during this challenging time, thanking them for their messages and gestures.