Following a difficult period of mourning after the passing of his father, Lionel Messi made his return to the pitch with Inter Miami during the 2026 Leagues Cup. Despite his presence, the team suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against Club León.
Messi’s participation had been uncertain after his brief trip to Argentina, but he was ultimately included in the matchday squad. He began the game on the bench and was later brought on as a substitute in the second half.
Messi’s Reserved Post-Match Conduct
Substituting for Dániel Pintér, who scored Inter Miami’s opening goal, Messi stepped onto the field at the start of the second half. After the final whistle, the Argentine appeared hurried and largely disengaged from the opposing players. While he shook hands with some, he notably refrained from exchanging jerseys with any members of the Mexican side.