Lionel Messi returned to the pitch for Inter Miami on Wednesday night, marking his first game since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 7 at the age of 68 following an illness. The match, a Leagues Cup fixture against Club Leon, saw Messi enter the game in the 46th minute, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at the Nu Stadium. Inter Miami lost the match 3-2, officially eliminating them from the tournament.
Messi's return came shortly after he posted an emotional tribute to his father on Instagram. In the post, the soccer star expressed deep sorrow and doubt about his continued career. "Dad, I still can't believe you're gone," Messi wrote. "It hasn't sunk in yet, or rather, I don't want to accept it. It's very difficult for me to imagine never seeing you again, never talking to you again."
He continued, "I don't know what I'll do without you, I don't know how to go on. I only played football and now I have serious doubts that I'll continue doing that for much longer." Messi alluded to his father's wishes for him to play in the recent World Cup, a tournament that was emotionally taxing for him due to his father's declining health. He recalled missing his father's usual messages after games and the struggle to play despite physical limitations.
Jorge Messi had been a constant presence throughout his son's career, acting as his agent and business manager. His health had been a concern for some time, with reports of a 'medical episode' in January leading to hospitalization and undisclosed tests. This situation had previously led to tears from Messi on the field during the World Cup, where he later explained it was unrelated to sports but a result of difficult personal circumstances.
Cristiano Ronaldo offered his condolences on Messi's Instagram post, sharing words of support. Messi also took to Instagram Stories to thank fans for their outpouring of support and for respecting his family's privacy during their grief. He stated, "Thank you for being there for us, for every message, every gesture and, above all, for respecting our grief and our privacy."
Jorge Messi's death prompted widespread tributes from the football community, including from Messi's former clubs Barcelona and Newell's Old Boys, as well as the Argentina national team. The patriarch worked in a steel factory before becoming his son's primary representative, guiding his career from his early days at Newell's Old Boys through his transfers to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and finally Inter Miami. Jorge Messi is survived by his wife Celia Cuccittini and their four children, including Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol. His close relationship with Lionel was evident throughout his son's career, including during a 2016 tax fraud case where Jorge supported his son in court.