Lionel Messi made an emotional return to action on Wednesday following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, but his comeback ended in disappointment as Inter Miami suffered a 3-2 defeat to Mexican side León and crashed out of the Leagues Cup.
Messi, who had travelled to Argentina for his father’s funeral, returned to Florida on Tuesday night and was introduced at half-time in the crucial group-stage encounter.
The 39-year-old was warmly welcomed by the home supporters as he entered the pitch, but his presence could not inspire Inter Miami to victory as León completed a comeback to become the first team to secure a place in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Messi’s return came shortly after he paid an emotional tribute to his late father, who died last week at the age of 68.
In a social media message, the Inter Miami captain opened up about his grief and revealed that the loss had made him question his future in football.
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“I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on,” Messi wrote, adding that he had begun having serious doubts about how much longer he could continue playing.
The Argentine had missed Inter Miami’s previous match against Monterrey on Saturday but returned for the must-win clash with León.
Inter Miami made a bright start and took the lead through Yannick Bright, but León fought back, with Colombian forward Daniel Arcila scoring twice before the Mexican side completed a 3-2 victory.
Bright praised Messi for returning to the team so soon after his father’s funeral, describing the decision as a reflection of his commitment to the club and his teammates.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro also hailed Messi’s determination, describing the Argentine superstar as “an example for all of us” given the circumstances surrounding his return.
León head coach Javier Gandolfi also expressed admiration for Messi, saying the match once again demonstrated the character of the veteran forward.
The defeat brought Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup campaign to a disappointing end, with the club eliminated at the opening stage for the first time since the competition was expanded in 2023.
Inter Miami won the inaugural expanded edition of the tournament in 2023 shortly after Messi joined the club alongside former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The Florida club reached the final again in 2025 but suffered a 3-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders.
The latest elimination now leaves Inter Miami with a difficult period of reflection, while Messi faces the challenge of balancing his football career with the personal loss of his father.
