In a move that surprised everyone, Lionel Messi returned to the field this Wednesday, just five days following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away in Rosario at the age of 68. The 39-year-old Argentine star came on at the start of the second half during the Leagues Cup match between Inter Miami and Mexico's León, held at Miami's Nu Stadium.
Nobody anticipated his return, not even his teammates. Messi had traveled to Rosario to bid farewell to his father and made his way back to Miami overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, spending the day at his Fort Lauderdale home before unexpectedly showing up in the locker room. According to journalist Michelle Giannone during Apple TV's broadcast, the captain himself requested Coach Guillermo Hoyos to be on the bench and play a few minutes: "Even his team didn’t expect it. It was a shock. And he said, 'Yes, I’m going to play.'"
Adding to the special nature of his appearance was the context: hours before the match, Messi shared a heartfelt farewell letter to his father on Instagram, expressing uncertainty about his future in soccer. "I don't know what I'll do without you, I don't know how to move forward. I only played soccer and now I have many doubts about continuing to do so for much longer," he wrote.
Emotional Reception at the Nu Stadium
Despite these words, there was Leo. Without having trained since his trip to Argentina and skipping the warm-up with fellow substitutes, he stepped onto the field, and the Nu Stadium erupted.
The ovation was deafening. Fans stood and welcomed him with applause and chants during one of the stadium’s most emotional moments. The official MLS account captured it with a sentiment that garnered 250,000 likes: "We missed you, Messi. Welcome back."
Among those who spoke afterward was Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, visibly moved by his teammate's gesture. "He's an example. Surely, he's going through a tough time, but he showed commitment not just to the players, but to the club, which was incredible; I've never seen anything like it in my life. The only thing we can do is thank him for being here."
Focus Beyond the Result
On the field, Messi gave it his all, but ultimately Inter Miami fell 3-2 to León, leading to their elimination from the Leagues Cup. At the final whistle, Messi walked alone towards the locker room, receiving respectful greetings from his opponents.
The result was secondary. What truly mattered was seeing him back, wearing his jersey despite the mourning. The next chapter might unfold on Saturday when Inter Miami is set to face Nashville in the MLS.
FAQs About Messi’s Emotional Return
Why did Messi return to the field so soon after his father's death?
Messi surprised many by returning to honor his commitment to the team and the club, showing resilience despite his personal loss.
How did fans react to Messi's return?
Fans gave Messi a thunderous ovation, standing and cheering in one of the most emotional moments witnessed at the Nu Stadium.
What was Messi's performance like during the match?
Although Messi played with determination, Inter Miami lost 3-2 against León, resulting in their elimination from the Leagues Cup.