Lionel Messi briefly stepped away from Inter Miami following the death of his father, Jorge, who died at age 68 in Rosario after a long illness.
Messi returned to Argentina to be with his family and missed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Monterrey. However, his absence proved brief. He returned to Miami and came on at halftime against Club León on Aug. 12, making his first appearance since his father’s death.
A brief pause for a legend
Lionel Messi briefly stepped away from Inter Miami following the death of his father, Jorge. He traveled to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, and missed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Monterrey while attending to his family.
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos initially said there was no timetable for Messi’s return. That uncertainty ended quickly: Messi was back with the team for its Aug. 12 match against Club León and entered at the start of the second half.
The appearance marked the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner’s return to competitive football only days after his father’s death.
The man who shaped him
Jorge Horacio Messi played a fundamental role in his son’s life and career. He served as Lionel’s agent, managed his business affairs and accompanied him to Barcelona as a youngster for the trial that opened the door to La Masia.
Before becoming deeply involved in Lionel’s career, Jorge worked as a chemical technician and in the steel industry. He later negotiated Lionel’s contracts with Barcelona and helped handle his moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Lionel repeatedly described his father as a constant source of guidance and support. Jorge remained closely involved throughout the career that took his son from Rosario to the highest levels of world soccer.
His illness remained private
Jorge Messi underwent medical treatment for an unspecified illness during the months before his death. In June, the family confirmed that he was under medical supervision and said he was recovering, but it did not disclose a diagnosis.
The family also urged the public and media not to speculate about his condition and asked that his medical privacy be respected. Reuters later reported that Jorge spent his final months alternating between a medical center in Rosario and his home.
His specific illness was not publicly identified. Jorge died at age 68 in Rosario after what Reuters described as a long illness.
Little-known fact: Barcelona’s sporting director Carles Rexach drafted the agreement on a napkin at a tennis club restaurant in 2000 to reassure Messi’s anxious father that the club was serious about signing his son.
Inter Miami gave Messi time with his family
Messi missed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Monterrey after traveling to Argentina following his father’s death. Before the club’s next game, coach Guillermo Hoyos said there was no timetable for his return.
The uncertainty was short-lived. Messi returned to Miami and was named among the substitutes against Club León on Aug. 12. He entered at the start of the second half, making his first competitive appearance since his father’s death.
His return came only days after his trip to Rosario and showed that the absence was temporary rather than an indefinite leave from football.
Messi raises questions about his playing future
In an emotional Instagram tribute to his father, Messi acknowledged serious doubts about how much longer he will continue playing soccer. The 39-year-old said the loss had left him struggling with what comes next.
Messi has not announced his retirement from club or international soccer. His comments nevertheless represent one of his clearest recent acknowledgments that his playing career is nearing its end.
For now, he remains an Inter Miami player under contract through the 2028 MLS season and returned to competitive action against Club León on Aug. 12.
The soccer world reacts to the loss
Messages of condolence followed Jorge Messi’s death from clubs and football organizations connected to Lionel’s career. Barcelona, Newell’s Old Boys, and the Argentine Football Association were among those publicly expressing support for the Messi family.
Newell’s Old Boys described Jorge as a central figure who supported Lionel’s career alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini. The Argentine Football Association said Jorge had been fundamental to Lionel’s personal and sporting life and announced a minute of silence at matches.
Barcelona also thanked Jorge for entrusting the club with the beginning and the most glorious years of Lionel’s football career.
Messi balances grief with his return
Messi briefly stepped away from Inter Miami to return to Argentina and mourn his father with his family. He has since resumed playing, returning as a second-half substitute against Club León on Aug. 12.
His Instagram tribute made clear how deeply Jorge’s death affected him. Messi said he would carry his father’s influence forward in raising his own children and acknowledged uncertainty about how much longer he will continue playing.
Little-known fact: Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at age 11; his family initially couldn’t afford treatment, and Barcelona covered his medical costs after signing him to La Masia.
What happens next for Messi
Messi’s return has already happened. He came on at halftime against Club León on Aug. 12 and received a loud ovation from the crowd at Nu Stadium in his first match since his father’s death.
Inter Miami lost 3-2 and was eliminated from the Leagues Cup. The club will now return to MLS regular-season play, with its next scheduled match against Nashville SC on Aug. 15.
Questions about Messi’s longer-term future remain after he publicly acknowledged doubts about how much longer he wants to play. For now, however, he has resumed competitive football with Inter Miami.
TL;DR
- Lionel Messi briefly stepped away from Inter Miami following the death of his father, Jorge.
- Jorge died at age 68 in Rosario after a long, unspecified illness.
- Messi returned to Inter Miami against Club León on Aug. 12, entering at the start of the second half.
- Jorge was a longtime agent, representative, and central figure in Messi’s career.
- Messi has publicly expressed doubts about how much longer he will continue playing soccer.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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