Inter Miami wasn’t the only team to pay respects to Jorge Messi. Lionel Messi’s fellow players also honored the memory of his father, who passed away at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, on Saturday. Due to this loss, Messi was absent from Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup group-stage match against Monterrey as he stayed in Argentina to be with his family.
Event Context
Inter Miami kicked off their Leagues Cup campaign with a 4-2 win against Atletico San Luis. They are set to face Leon on Wednesday for their final group-stage match. In contrast, Monterrey will be traveling to Nashville. While Inter Miami secured the Leagues Cup title in 2023 and reached the finals the previous year, their chances of advancing to the knockout stage appear slim with just one group match left.
Messi misses the match
As Lionel Messi grieves the loss of his father, his close friend and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul paid heartfelt tribute by scoring Inter Miami’s sole goal in their 1-2 loss.
Before the match began, both teams honored Jorge Messi with a minute’s silence, while players from Inter Miami donned black armbands. The club expressed their solidarity, stating, “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.”
De Paul opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 32nd minute. However, their lead was short-lived, as Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers equalized just two minutes into the second half. The comeback was completed by Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi, who netted the winning goal in the 90th minute.
Jorge Messi, who played a crucial role in managing his son’s football career, passed away after a long illness. Newell’s Old Boys, the Argentine club where Messi started playing in 1995, announced Jorge Messi’s death on X on Saturday.
The club praised Jorge, calling him “the pillar and visionary who supported the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini,” and acknowledged his significant contributions to Lionel Messi’s journey in football from the beginning to his remarkable achievements.
Team Analysis
De Paul opened the scoring with a stunning long-range goal. Following his successful strike, he celebrated by removing his jersey to reveal another Inter Miami shirt, this one featuring Messi’s renowned No. 10. Although this exuberant display resulted in a yellow card for De Paul, it served as a heartfelt gesture of solidarity for his missing teammate.
Match Outlook
Lionel Messi reportedly arrived in Rosario on Saturday evening and is anticipated to participate in a private memorial service. It is still uncertain when the 39-year-old forward will make his return to Inter Miami.
