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Inter Miami was eliminated from the Leagues Cup on Wednesday, falling 3-2 to Mexico's Leon, despite Lionel Messi's emotional comeback following his father's death and his hint at a possible retirement.
The Miami captain flew back to Florida from Argentina on Tuesday night after attending the funeral of his father, Jorge Messi, on Sunday and came on at half-time to a massive ovation.
Jorge, who was his son's agent, died last week at the age of 68. On Wednesday morning, Messi posted an emotional tribute to his father on social media, admitting that he wasn't sure he wanted to continue playing football.
"I don't know what I'll do without you, I don't know how to go on," Messi wrote. "I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer."
Miami led 1-0, but two goals from Colombian Daniel Arcila fueled Leon's come-from-behind victory, which made it the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament between MLS (Major League Soccer) and Liga MX (Mexico's top football league) clubs.
Messi had made himself available to Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos for the must-win final group match, having been absent when the team lost to Monterrey on Saturday.
Yannick Bright, who scored one of Miami's goals, called Messi's return "incredible," adding that he and other teammates just wanted to support their captain. "I wasn't expecting it," Bright said. "It shows how much he cares. When I saw he was here, all I was thinking about was to give my 150% for him. It's a tough situation. We try to stay close to him and support him as much as we can, but it's a lot."
Brazilian teammate Casemiro, who joined Miami after the World Cup, said Messi was "an example for all of us" in his commitment to playing during such a difficult time.
Leon coach Javier Gandolfi echoed those thoughts. "Today he demonstrated once more what he's made of," Gandolfi said of Messi. "He is a human being that is different from the rest."
It is the first time Miami has been knocked out in the opening phase since the Leagues Cup was expanded in 2023. Miami lifted the trophy that year with Messi, shortly after he arrived at the Florida franchise alongside Spaniards Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Miami reached the 2025 final but was beaten 3-0 by the Seattle Sounders, a match marked by a brawl after the final whistle, which led to Luis Suarez being suspended for all of this year's tournament.
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