Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami after attending his father’s funeral in Argentina, but his emotional comeback ended in disappointment as the MLS side were eliminated from the Leagues Cup following a 3-2 defeat to Mexico’s Leon on Wednesday.
Messi flew back to Florida on Tuesday night after the funeral of his father, Jorge, who died last week at the age of 68. He entered at half-time to a huge ovation from the Miami crowd.
Earlier Wednesday, Messi paid tribute to his father on social media, revealing uncertainty over whether he would continue his football career.
“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.”
Despite Messi’s return, Miami could not hold on to an early lead. Yannick Bright helped put the hosts ahead, but Colombian forward Daniel Arcila scored twice as Leon completed a comeback to become the first team to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament between MLS and Liga MX clubs.
Messi had made himself available to coach Guillermo Hoyos for the must-win group match after missing Miami’s 3-2 defeat to Monterrey on Saturday.
Bright described Messi’s return as “incredible” and said the squad wanted to support their captain during a difficult period.
“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 midfielder Casemiro, who joined Miami after the World Cup, also praised Messi’s commitment, describing him as “an example for all of us.”
Leon coach Javier Gandolfi echoed the sentiment, saying Messi had once again demonstrated his character.
“Today he demonstrated once more what he’s made of,” Gandolfi said. “He is a human being that is different to the rest.”
The defeat marked the first time Miami have been eliminated in the opening phase of the Leagues Cup since the competition expanded in 2023.
Miami won the tournament in 2023 after Messi joined the club alongside former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The Florida side reached the final again in 2025 but lost 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders. That match ended in a post-match brawl that resulted in Luis Suarez being suspended for the entirety of this year’s tournament.
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