Messi Returns After Father's Death but Miami Exits Leagues Cup

Lionel Messi returned to the pitch on Wednesday after his father's death, but it was not enough for Inter Miami. They lost 3-2 to Mexico's Leon in the Leagues Cup.

Messi flew back to Florida from Argentina on Tuesday night. He attended his father Jorge's funeral on Sunday. He came on at half-time to a big cheer from the crowd.

Jorge, who was 68, was Messi's agent. He passed away last week.

On Wednesday morning, Messi shared a heartfelt message for his father on social media. He expressed uncertainty about continuing his football career.

"I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on.

I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer," Messi wrote.

Miami was leading 1-0, but two goals from Colombian Daniel Arcila helped Leon make a comeback. This win allowed Leon to be the first team to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament involving MLS and LigaMx clubs.

Messi was on the field for Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos in this must-win final group match. He had missed the previous game against Monterrey on Saturday.

Yannick Bright, who netted one of Miami's goals, described Messi's return as "incredible." He said that he and his teammates just wanted to support their captain.

"I wasn’t expecting it," Bright said. "It shows how much he cares. When I saw he was here, all I was thinking about was to give my 150 percent for him.

It’s a tough situation. We try to stay close to him and support him as much as we can, but it’s a lot."

Brazilian teammate Casemiro, who joined Miami after the World Cup, said Messi was "an example for all of us" with his commitment to play during such a hard time.

Leon coach Javier Gandolfi agreed.

"Today he demonstrated once more what he’s made of," Gandolfi said about Messi. "He is a human being that is different to the rest."

This is the first time Miami has been knocked out in the opening phase since the Leagues Cup expanded in 2023.

Miami won the trophy that year with Messi, shortly after he joined the Florida team. He came alongside Spaniards Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Miami reached the final in 2025 but lost 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders. This match ended in a fight after the final whistle, resulting in Luis Suarez being banned from this year's tournament.