Messi Returns After Father’s Death as Retirement Doubts Grow

 

Lionel Messi made an emotional return to football on Wednesday, coming on as a second-half substitute for Inter Miami just days after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, as uncertainty over the Argentine star’s future continued to grow.

Messi, 39, returned to the United States after attending his father’s private funeral in Rosario, Argentina, on Sunday and was introduced at half-time during Inter Miami’s 3-2 defeat to Mexican side León in the final group game of the Leagues Cup.

The Argentina captain had missed Miami’s 2-1 defeat to Monterrey on Saturday following his father’s death but made himself available for the crucial encounter with León despite the difficult circumstances.

His return was greeted with loud cheers from supporters, but Messi could not prevent Inter Miami from suffering another defeat and exiting the Leagues Cup at the group stage for the first time since the competition was expanded in 2023.

Messi’s appearance came only days after he paid tribute to his father in an emotional social media message in which he admitted that he was unsure whether he would continue playing football for much longer.

The football superstar said his father had been a central figure throughout his career and revealed that Jorge had encouraged him to play in what became his final World Cup.

Messi said his father’s health had deteriorated significantly before the tournament, but he continued to play because of his father’s wish to see him compete on football’s biggest stage.

Argentina eventually reached the World Cup final but lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time, ending Messi’s latest campaign with the national team without another world title.

Jorge Messi, who died in Rosario at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness, was far more than the footballer’s father. He had served as Messi’s agent from the age of 14 and remained one of the most influential figures in the development of his career.

His presence accompanied Messi through the extraordinary rise that transformed the young Argentine into one of the most decorated and recognisable footballers in history, including his journey to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph.

Messi’s decision to return to the pitch so soon after the funeral drew admiration from his Inter Miami teammates.

Midfielder Yannick Bright, who scored Miami’s second goal against León, described Messi’s return as “incredible” and said the players were determined to support their captain.

“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% for him.”

Bright acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, saying the players were trying to remain close to Messi and support him through his grief.

León coach Javier Gandolfi also praised Messi, describing him as a unique human being and saying his decision to play again demonstrated his character.

“Today he demonstrated once more what he's made of,” Gandolfi said.

Messi’s appearance also adds another emotional chapter to a career that has increasingly entered its final stages, with the forward now openly acknowledging uncertainty about how much longer he wants to continue playing.

His future has become an even more personal question following the death of the man who had been beside him from the earliest stages of his professional journey.

For now, Messi has returned to the pitch, but his emotional tribute to his father suggests that the football world may be witnessing the beginning of the final chapter of one of its greatest careers.