Lionel Messi Absent After Father’s Death as Rodrigo De Paul Pays Emotional Tribute

Lionel Messi was absent as Inter Miami suffered a 2-1 defeat against Monterrey in their Leagues Cup group-stage clash, with the Argentina captain remaining in Rosario following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68.

Messi’s Inter Miami teammates honoured his father before and during the match. The players wore black armbands, while both teams observed a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of Jorge Messi.

Rodrigo De Paul Celebrates Goal in Messi’s No. 10 Jersey

Messi’s close friend and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul delivered one of the most emotional moments of the match after scoring Inter Miami’s only goal.

De Paul opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a superb strike from outside the penalty area. After finding the net, he removed his Inter Miami shirt to reveal another shirt underneath featuring Messi’s iconic No. 10.

The tribute earned De Paul a yellow card, but his celebration sent a powerful message of support to Messi and his family during a difficult period.

Inter Miami also shared a message before the match, saying that the club’s hearts were with their captain and the entire Messi family.

Monterrey Complete Comeback Against Inter Miami

Inter Miami held their lead until the second half, but Monterrey quickly turned the match around. Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers equalised in the 47th minute before Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute.

The defeat leaves Inter Miami facing a difficult situation in the Leagues Cup. Miami had started the competition with a 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis but now need a positive result against Leon in their final group-stage match on Wednesday.

Monterrey will face Nashville in their final group fixture.

Jorge Messi Played a Major Role in Lionel’s Career

Jorge Messi was an influential figure throughout his son’s football journey. He supported Lionel from his early days in Rosario and later played a significant role in managing his professional career and business affairs.

Newell’s Old Boys, where Lionel Messi played between 1995 and 2000, confirmed Jorge’s death in a statement on X and highlighted his importance in supporting the legendary footballer throughout his rise to the top of the sport.

Messi reportedly travelled to Rosario after receiving the news and is expected to attend a private memorial service. It remains unclear when the 39-year-old forward will return to Inter Miami.

Inter Miami Rally Around Their Captain

With Messi away from the team during a deeply personal moment, Inter Miami’s tribute demonstrated the support surrounding their captain. De Paul’s decision to celebrate in Messi’s No. 10 jersey added an especially emotional touch to a difficult night for the club.