Lionel Messi has come back to his hometown of Rosario after the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, who was 68 years old. As captain of Inter Miami, Messi took a break from soccer to support his family during this tough time. His teammates honored Jorge’s memory before and during their game against Monterrey.
Jorge’s death, which followed a lengthy illness, was confirmed by Messi’s childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys. Reports from Argentina state that he passed away at a clinic in Rosario on Friday night, where he had been receiving care.
In a show of solidarity, Inter Miami shared their support for Messi and his family on social media before the match. The players wore black armbands, and fans observed a moment of silence to pay their respects.
Rodrigo De Paul Pays Tribute
With Messi absent, Rodrigo De Paul took on the captain’s role for Inter Miami during their match against Monterrey. De Paul, who has a close bond with Messi from their national team days, dedicated his goal to Messi by lifting his jersey to reveal one with “Messi 10” on it. This heartfelt gesture added an emotional touch to a challenging game for the team, even though Monterrey came back to win 2-1.
Inter Miami expressed their condolences on social media, stating, “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.”
Jorge Messi’s Impact on Lionel’s Career
Jorge was not just a father but also a key figure in Lionel Messi’s journey to stardom. He was heavily involved in crucial decisions, from Messi’s move from Argentina to Barcelona at a young age to later negotiations for his transitions to Paris Saint-Germain and now Inter Miami.
Messi had recently taken a short break from soccer after leading Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they finished as runners-up. He returned to the field on August 1, where he scored two goals and assisted in another during their 4-2 victory in the Leagues Cup against Atletico San Luis.
At this moment, it is unclear when Messi will be back on the field with Inter Miami. Jorge’s health had previously been highlighted during the World Cup; Messi was emotional after a win, explaining later that his feelings were tied to family matters. There were initial reports about Jorge’s health, but the family later reassured the public that he was recovering.
Now, Messi has returned to Rosario to support his family after losing someone who played such an important role in his life.
