Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami four days after his father Jorge Messi died, but Club León beat his side 3-2 on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to send them out of the Leagues Cup.
Messi missed Inter Miami’s previous Leagues Cup game after travelling to Argentina following his father’s death at 68. He returned to the team against León and started the second half at Nu Stadium. Fans gave the Argentina captain a loud ovation when he entered the pitch.
Inter Miami took the lead before half-time through Daniel Pinter. However, León responded after the break as Daniel Arcila scored twice, including the winning goal in the 83rd minute. Yannick Bright also scored for Miami, while Juan Pablo Domínguez added León’s other goal in the 3-2 victory.
The defeat ended Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup campaign, while León moved into the knockout stage. Messi had missed the earlier meeting with Monterrey after returning to Argentina following his father’s death.
Before the match, Messi paid tribute to his father in an Instagram post and questioned whether he could continue playing football without him.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to move forward,” Messi wrote in his tribute.
Messi also recalled his father’s role throughout his football career. Jorge Messi served as his son’s representative and remained closely involved in his career from his early days in Argentina.
The post came after Messi had returned to Argentina for his father’s funeral. He then travelled back to Miami in time to face León.
Messi’s return therefore lasted only one half before Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup campaign ended with the 3-2 defeat.
