Lionel Messi absent after father’s death, De Paul delivers touching tribute with goal celebration in Leo’s jersey

Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami's Leagues Cup group-stage clash against Monterrey as he remained in Argentina with his family.

It wasn't just Inter Miami who paid tribute to Jorge Messi. Lionel Messi's teammates also honoured the club captain's father, who died aged 68 in Rosario, Argentina, on Saturday. Messi missed Inter Miami's Leagues Cup group-stage clash against Monterrey as he remained in Argentina with his family.

Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, left, celebrates after scoring a goal, wearing the shirt of teammate Lionel Messi (10) who did not play due to death of his father (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

While Messi mourns his father's death, close friend and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul delivered an emotional tribute in the only goal Inter Miami scored in their 1-2 defeat.

De Paul opened the scoring with a sublime strike from outside the box. After finding the net, he took off his jersey to reveal another Inter Miami shirt underneath — this one carrying Messi's iconic No. 10. The celebration earned De Paul a yellow card, but it offered a touching message of support to his absent teammate.

Inter Miami took the lead in the 32nd minute through De Paul, but their advantage disappeared early in the second half when Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers equalised in the 47th minute. Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi then completed Monterrey's comeback with a 90th-minute winner.

Miami had opened their Leagues Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis and will now face Leon on Wednesday in their final group-stage game. Monterrey, meanwhile, will visit Nashville.

Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023 and reached the final last year, but their hopes of reaching the knockout stage this time look bleak with one group match remaining.

Messi misses the match

Messi's father, who played a major role in managing his son's football career, died following a prolonged illness. Newell's Old Boys, the Argentine club where Messi played from 1995 to 2000, confirmed Jorge Messi's death in a statement on X on Saturday.

“Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini,” the club said.

The statement also highlighted his role in supporting Lionel Messi from his earliest days in football through his rise to the top of the sport.

Messi reportedly arrived in Rosario on Saturday night and is expected to attend a private memorial service. It remains unclear when the 39-year-old forward will return to Inter Miami.