Lionel Messi made an emotional return to Inter Miami on August 12, 2026, coming on as a substitute at halftime in a Leagues Cup match against Mexico’s Club Leon [1, 2, 3]. The game ended in a 3-2 loss for Inter Miami, which resulted in their elimination from the Leagues Cup group stage for the first time since the tournament’s expansion in 2023 [1, 2, 3, 4].

Messi, 39, had flown back to the United States the night before after attending the funeral of his father Jorge Messi in Rosario, Argentina, on August 9 [1, 2, 3, 5, 6]. Jorge, who was also Lionel’s longtime agent and adviser, died last week at age 68 following a long battle with cancer [1, 7, 6]. The private funeral was attended by family and some football teammates [1, 7, 8].

Messi had traveled to Argentina with his wife and children to be at his father’s side and attend the funeral [1, 7, 8]. In an emotional social media post on August 12, Messi wrote, "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" [1, 2, 9]. Jorge Messi was a crucial figure in his son’s career, managing contract negotiations across clubs [7, 6]. Messi also revealed his struggle playing during the 2026 World Cup under the strain of his father’s illness, hoping to give him time to watch [10].

Inter Miami entered the match needing a win after a prior group loss to Monterrey without Messi [1, 2, 3]. Colombian forward Daniel Arcila scored twice for Leon in their comeback victory [1, 2, 3]. Despite twice holding the lead, Miami could not hold on and were eliminated in the group stage for the first time since the Leagues Cup expanded in 2023 [1, 4]. Previously, Messi had helped Inter Miami win the inaugural expanded Leagues Cup in 2023 and reach its 2025 final [1, 4].

After the game, Messi expressed uncertainty about his future in football without his father’s support [1, 5, 10]. He made himself available to coach Guillermo Hoyos for the must-win match despite the emotional toll [1, 2, 3].

Messi’s father, Jorge, died on August 7 and the official funeral took place August 9 in Rosario. Messi returned to the U.S. on August 11 and played August 12, marking his first match since the family tragedy [1, 7, 5, 6]. Inter Miami now faces the offseason without advancing in the Leagues Cup tournament [1, 3].