Lionel Messi returns but Inter Miami exit Leagues Cup after Club Leon defeat

Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, but could not prevent his side from being eliminated from the Leagues Cup following a 3-2 defeat by Club Leon.

Messi came on in the second half of Thursday’s group-stage match, making his first appearance since Jorge Messi died on Saturday at the age of 68 after a long illness.

The Argentina captain’s return had not been expected so soon, with the death of his father leading to widespread speculation that he would be absent for a longer period.

However, he was introduced after the interval as Inter Miami attempted to keep their Leagues Cup campaign alive. The defeat left the American side with three points from their three matches and confirmed their exit from the competition.

It is the first time Inter Miami, with Messi in their squad, have been eliminated from the Leagues Cup at the group stage.

Inter Miami won the tournament in 2023, with Messi playing a leading role, and finished as runners-up in the previous edition.

Messi had made an outstanding contribution to Inter Miami’s opening match of this year’s competition, scoring twice in a 4-2 victory over Mexican club Atletico de San Luis.

That result gave Inter Miami a winning start, but they were beaten 2-1 by Monterrey in their second match before losing to Club Leon.

The group stage is played across clubs from the United States and Mexico. Each team from the United States plays three matches against Mexican opposition, while the Mexican clubs follow the same format against teams from the United States.

The top four teams from each country progress to the quarter-finals.

Inter Miami therefore needed a positive result against Club Leon to continue their defence of the competition, but the loss brought their campaign to an end after three games.

Messi’s involvement came only days after the death of Jorge, who was one of the most influential figures in the footballer’s career. He managed his son’s business affairs and continued to oversee matters away from the pitch from the early stages of Lionel Messi’s career.

Jorge Messi also played a prominent part in his son’s move towards becoming a professional footballer in Europe.

The 68-year-old’s long-term involvement in Lionel Messi’s career made him a central figure in the Argentina forward’s rise, from his earliest development to his established status in European and international football.

Despite Messi’s return, Inter Miami could not recover from their poor position in the group. Their three points were not enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds, while Club Leon’s victory ensured the American side’s elimination from the Leagues Cup.