Tributes flood Miami as Messi sits out Leagues Cup loss

Rodrigo de Paul opened the scoring, giving Inter Miami an early lead before Monterrey turned the game around to win 2-1 on Saturday night. The opening goal became the match’s decisive moment, set against a backdrop of mourning for Lionel Messi’s father.

Lionel Messi missed the Leagues Cup fixture after travelling to Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died on Saturday at the age of 68 after a long illness. Jorge had acted as Messi’s agent since the Argentine forward was 14 and passed away in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

Inter Miami paid tribute before kick‑off with a minute’s silence, black armbands for the players and Jorge’s name displayed on the big screens at Nu Stadium. The club also added a black ribbon to its social‑media profile pictures and issued a statement: “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.”

During the match, Rodrigo de Paul celebrated the opening goal by removing his shirt to reveal Messi’s name, while fans held handmade signs offering support and honoring Jorge. Miami striker Luis Suárez, who was suspended for the game, posted on Instagram that Jorge will continue to watch over his son “with pride, as he always did.”

Barcelona observed a moment of silence before their 1‑0 friendly win against Nottingham Forest in Udine, Italy, recalling that in 2000 Jorge escorted his 13‑year‑old son to Catalonia and helped persuade the club to sign him. The Spanish side thanked Jorge “for his commitment to our club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career.”

In Argentina, fans left flags and flowers outside Messi’s childhood home in Rosario, and both Boca Juniors and River Plate held periods of silence before their matches. The Argentine Football Association said it “deeply mourns with sadness and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and emblem, Lionel Messi,” adding a message of solidarity to the family.

Paris Saint‑Germain also released a statement: “The club sends its full support to Leo, his family and loved ones in this painful ordeal. May he rest in peace.”

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