Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start on Tuesday night, as the team fell 2–1 to Monterrey at Chase Stadium. The result was overshadowed by a solemn tribute that unfolded as the final whistle approached.
A tribute on the field
A moment of silence filled the arena, and players wore black armbands to honor Jorge Messi, who had passed away at the age of 68 in Rosario just days before the match. Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul broke the silence with a goal in the 84th minute, then lifted his jersey to reveal a No 10 shirt bearing the name Messi as a direct homage to the late patriarch.
Lionel Messi, who had been listed as captain for the fixture, was absent from the pitch after learning of his father’s death, prompting him to leave the squad and return to Argentina. The emotional weight of the occasion was evident in the quiet reverence shown by teammates and opponents alike.
The gesture resonated beyond Miami’s camp. FC Barcelona released a statement acknowledging Jorge Messi’s pivotal role in Lionel’s early development, thanking him for his unwavering support. Paris Saint‑Germain, Real Madrid CF and Newell’s Old Boys also issued condolences, while Boca Juniors and River Plate observed a minute of silence before their respective fixtures.
The Argentine Football Association issued a formal expression of sorrow, describing Jorge Messi as the father of a national icon and extending its deepest sympathies to the Messi family and the broader football community.
In Rosario, well‑wishers gathered outside the modest house where Lionel Messi spent his childhood, laying flowers and Argentine flags in a spontaneous shrine that underscored the personal loss felt across the country.
Despite the defeat, Inter Miami managed to open their tournament account earlier in the week with a 4–2 victory over San Luis, a result that placed them 11th in the group standings. The team now looks to rebuild momentum while carrying forward the memory of a man who helped shape one of soccer’s brightest stars.