Lionel Messi missed the Leagues Cup tie after his father Jorge Messi died at 68, while Rodrigo De Paul dedicated his goal to the absent captain
Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami’s 2-1 defeat by Monterrey in the Leagues Cup on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, with the Argentine captain travelling home to Argentina as teammates and opponents paid tribute to his family.
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A minute’s silence was observed before the match at Miami’s home ground in memory of Jorge Messi, who died aged 68. Inter Miami also issued a message of support for their captain as the club played without its most influential figure.
“Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family,” Inter Miami said in a statement.
Messi arrived in Argentina later on Saturday, according to reports, as his family mourned the death of Jorge, who played a central role in his son’s career from his earliest days in football through his rise to global prominence.
On the pitch, Inter Miami initially appeared determined to give their absent captain something to celebrate.
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul put Miami ahead in the 32nd minute, finishing a move that gave the home side a 1-0 advantage at half-time.
De Paul then produced one of the night’s most touching moments. After scoring, the midfielder removed his No. 7 shirt to reveal a No. 10 underneath, a clear tribute to Messi and the shirt number that has become synonymous with the Argentina captain.
The gesture offered a poignant reminder that the match was unfolding against a deeply personal backdrop for Miami’s players.
Monterrey, however, responded strongly after the interval.
Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers equalised in the 47th minute, bringing the Mexican side level shortly after the restart and shifting the momentum of the contest.
With the match appearing destined for a draw, Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi delivered a late blow to the MLS champions by scoring in the 90th minute.
The result denied Miami a second consecutive victory in the competition after the club opened its group campaign with a 4-2 win over Atlético de San Luis.
Inter Miami will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s meeting with León, hoping to secure their progress in the competition while Messi continues to deal with the loss of his father.
The defeat also highlighted the challenge facing Miami when their captain is unavailable.
Messi has been central to the club’s ambitions since joining the MLS side, helping transform its profile while providing decisive moments on the field.
Yet Saturday’s match was inevitably about more than football.
The pre-match silence and De Paul’s tribute provided a quiet expression of solidarity for Messi at a difficult moment.
For Inter Miami, the focus now shifts towards supporting their captain and preparing for the next stage of their Leagues Cup campaign.
Also read: Merino warns Messi poses huge World Cup final threat
The result may have gone against Miami, but the evening’s most memorable moment belonged to a teammate who found a simple way to remind Messi that he was not facing his loss alone.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
