Messi misses Miami defeat after death of father

Lionel Messi was absent from Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Monterrey on Saturday due to the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Jorge, who served as Messi's agent since he was 14 years old, had been battling a long illness and passed away at the age of 68 in a hospital in Rosario, Argentina. Following his father's death, Messi returned to Argentina on a private jet with his wife and three children. A private funeral was held on Sunday at a cemetery in the town of Perez, located outside Rosario.

In response to the tragedy, Inter Miami paid tribute to Messi's father during the game with a minute's silence, and players wore black armbands while Jorge's name was displayed on the big screens at Nu Stadium. The club's social media profiles featured a black ribbon in solidarity with the Messi family. Barcelona and Paris St-Germain also expressed their condolences and support to Messi and his family.

During the match, Rodrigo de Paul celebrated his goal by revealing Messi's shirt, honoring his team-mate. Fans held up handmade signs offering their support and tributes to both Messi and his father. Luis Suarez, who was suspended for the match, shared a message on Instagram expressing his condolences, stating that Jorge would continue to watch over his son "with pride, as he always did".