Lionel Messi returned to the pitch for Inter Miami on Wednesday following the death of his father, Jorge, but his emotional comeback ended in disappointment as the MLS side suffered a 3-2 defeat to León and were eliminated from the Leagues Cup.
Messi had travelled to Argentina to attend his father’s funeral on Sunday before flying back to Florida on Tuesday night. He started the match on the bench and entered at the interval, receiving a loud reception from the supporters.
Jorge, who was also Messi’s agent, died last week at the age of 68.
Before the match, Messi shared a heartfelt message on social media about his father’s death, admitting that the loss had made him uncertain about his future in football.
“I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on.
“I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer,” Messi wrote.
Inter Miami initially took control of the contest by moving 1-0 ahead, but León responded through Colombian Daniel Arcila, who struck twice to turn the game around and secure a 3-2 victory.
The result sent León into the quarter-finals as the first team to advance in the competition, which brings together clubs from Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
Messi made himself available for the decisive group-stage game after missing Miami’s defeat against Monterrey on Saturday.
His return was welcomed by his teammates, with Yannick Bright describing it as “incredible” and saying the squad’s main concern was to stand behind their captain during the difficult moment.
