Lionel Messi returned to play, but Inter Miami was eliminated from the Leagues Cup
The Argentine returned to the pitch just hours after mourning his father Jorge, but could not prevent a 3-2 loss to Mexico's Leon. For the first time in his career, 'La Pulga' failed to advance past the group stage.
Lionel Messi returned to the pitch just hours after mourning his father Jorge on social media, but could not prevent Inter Miami's elimination from the Leagues Cup. The Argentine, who had traveled to Argentina following his father's death, returned to Miami to take part in the decisive match against Mexico's Leon, coming on in the second half and receiving applause from the crowd.
However, Inter Miami lost 3-2 and was eliminated in the group stage of the tournament. This was the first time in Messi's career that he failed to advance past the group stage of an official competition. Inter Miami needed a win by a large margin and help from other results to continue in the tournament, but it did not happen.
Inter Miami took the lead in the 42nd minute, when Daniel Pinter scored after an assist from Ian Fray, but Leon equalized in the 50th minute with a goal by Daniel Arcila. Three minutes later, Yannick Bright restored the lead for Inter Miami, but Juan Dominguez made it 2-2 in the 61st minute, and in the 83rd minute, Arcila scored again to complete the comeback. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but was confirmed after a VAR check.
Messi finished the game with 49 touches and five shots, three of them on target, but could not find the net. After the game, he received support from his teammates, who addressed his commitment to return to play during such a difficult time.
