Lionel Messi has raised doubts about continuing his football career following the death of his father, Jorge, as Inter Miami crashed out of the Leagues Cup.
The Miami captain returned to action on Wednesday, coming on at half-time during his team’s 3-2 defeat to Mexican club Leon.
Messi had flown back to Florida from Argentina on Tuesday night after attending his father’s funeral on Sunday. Jorge Messi, who also served as his son’s agent, died last week at the age of 68.
The Argentina international received a huge ovation from supporters when he entered the must-win match.
Earlier on Wednesday, Messi posted an emotional tribute to his father on social media and admitted that the loss had left him uncertain about his future in football.
“I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on,” Messi wrote.
“I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer.”
Lionel Messi’s Return Fails to Save Inter Miami
Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead, but two goals from Colombian Daniel Arcila helped Leon complete a comeback victory.
The result made Leon the first club to qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition involving Major League Soccer and Liga MX teams.
Messi had made himself available to Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos after missing Saturday’s defeat to Monterrey.
Yannick Bright, who scored one of Miami’s goals, described Messi’s decision to play during such a difficult period as “incredible”.
“I wasn’t expecting it. 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,” Bright said.
“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 midfielder Casemiro described Messi as “an example for all of us”, while Leon coach Javier Gandolfi praised the forward’s strength.
“Today he demonstrated once more what he’s made of. He is a human being that is different to the rest,” Gandolfi said.
The defeat marked the first time Inter Miami had been eliminated during the opening phase since the Leagues Cup was expanded in 2023.
Miami won the trophy that year 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 the Seattle Sounders.
