Lionel Messi returned to football just four days after the death of his father Jorge, making an emotional comeback for Inter Miami in their crucial Leagues Cup clash against Leon on Wednesday.
Messi, who had admitted in a heartbreaking tribute to his father that he was unsure about continuing his football career, was named among the substitutes before coming on at half-time. His return came only days after he had travelled to his hometown of Rosario to attend his father’s funeral.
Jorge Messi died on August 8 after a long battle with illness. He had been far more than just Messi’s father, having served as his agent and one of the most important figures in the Argentine’s football journey from his earliest days in Rosario.
Messi had stepped away from football following his father’s death, with Inter Miami giving their captain time away from the game. The Argentine then returned to Miami on Wednesday and was included in the squad for the Leagues Cup encounter.
DON’T KNOW HOW TO CARRY ON: MESSI
The decision to return was particularly striking given Messi’s own words in the emotional tribute he shared after his father’s death.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to carry on. I only played football, and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much longer,” Messi wrote.
The 39-year-old spoke about the unique bond he shared with Jorge, who had been present throughout virtually every stage of his career.
“You were my dad, my friend and my representative,” Messi wrote, reflecting on how his father would take him to training sessions and never miss his matches.
Jorge’s influence on Messi’s career went far beyond that of a parent. He managed his son’s affairs from the beginning and remained one of his closest advisers as Messi went from a boy playing football in Rosario to one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
MESSI’S EMOTIONAL RETURN
Messi’s return to the pitch came against the backdrop of an already difficult period for Inter Miami.
The club had lost 2-1 to Monterrey in their previous Leagues Cup game while Messi was absent following his father’s death. The defeat left Miami needing a result against Leon in their final group-stage match.
Messi was initially kept on the bench against Leon before being introduced at half-time. However, his return could not prevent Inter Miami from suffering another defeat, with Leon winning 3-2.
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