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Lionel Messi mourns father Jorge, receives support from Neymar and Ronaldo. Messi returns to Inter Miami, faces career doubts after loss.
Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr at Paris Saint-Germain (Picture credit: AFP)
Brazilian football star Neymar Jr joined the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo to share heartfelt messages for Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, who posted an emotional tribute for his father, Jorge, who passed away last week.
Jorge was 68 and missed a FIFA World Cup game involving his son for the first time in the latter’s career. The family later said in a statement that he was under medical observation and therefore unable to travel to the United States.
Messi shared a heartfelt tribute to his father on Instagram on Wednesday, reflecting on their journey from his childhood and admitting that he felt uncertain about the future without his father’s presence, having been involved in every step of his career.
“Much strength for you and your family ❤️ 🙏🏼 big hug,” Neymar commented on the post.
Meanwhile, Messi, who had just returned from Argentina, was available off the bench for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup group-stage clash against Mexican team Leon on Wednesday.
The Argentina skipper flew to Miami on Tuesday night after attending the funeral of his father, Jorge Messi, near Rosario on Sunday, August 9.
On Wednesday, Messi posted an emotional tribute to his father on social media, saying that he had ‘serious doubts’ about continuing his career for ‘much longer’.
Messi’s father, who was his agent as well, passed away last week aged 68.
Nevertheless, Messi wasted no time in making himself available to coach Guillermo Hoyos for Miami’s final bid to reach the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, a competition featuring teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Miami were without Messi for their 2-1 loss to Monterrey in their second group-stage match. With three points from two games, they needed to defeat Leon and rely on other results going their way on Wednesday to advance to the knockouts.
August 13, 2026, 07:28 IST
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