{
  "id": 342082,
  "title": "Messi missing after father's death as Miami lose in Leagues Cup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/messi-missing-after-fathers-death-as-miami-lose-in-leagues-cup-342082",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T03:16:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/messi-missing-after-fathers-death-as-miami-lose-in-leagues-cup-1.500635083"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Inter Miami's captain Lionel Messi was absent from the team's loss to Monterrey in the Leagues Cup on Saturday, following the death of his father Jorge Messi. The Argentine soccer star's father passed away at the age of 68 in Argentina. Upon learning of the tragedy, Inter Miami's players observed a minute of silence before the match. The club expressed their condolences to the Messi family, stating, \"Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.\"\n\nIn the match against Monterrey, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring for Miami in the 32nd minute. Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers equalized for the Mexican side in the 47th minute. However, Uruguayan striker Diego Rossi secured a 90th-minute winner for Inter Miami. The Major League Soccer champions had previously won their first group match against Atletico San Luis with a score of 4-2. They will face Leon in their next fixture on Wednesday.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Lionel Messi absent due to father's death",
    "Father Jorge Messi died at 68 in Argentina",
    "Inter Miami observed minute of silence"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Lionel Messi's absence from the match, following his father's death, adds a personal dimension to Inter Miami's Leagues Cup campaign, with the team offering support to their captain.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Lionel Messi bids farewell to father who guided his career",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/lionel-messi-bids-farewell-to-father-who-guided-his-career",
        "published": "2026-08-09T17:06:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}