Lionel Messi returned to competitive action for Inter Miami against Mexican side León in the Leagues Cup, making his first appearance since the death of his father.

The Argentine superstar came on in the second half at Nu Stadium in Miami, but was unable to prevent Inter Miami from suffering a 3-2 defeat and being eliminated from the competition. Messi had previously been reported to have stepped away temporarily from his professional commitments to spend time with his family during a difficult period.

Messi's father died on August 8, 2026, at the age of 68. He had reportedly been battling an illness for some time, although the nature of the illness has not been disclosed. A hugely influential figure in the career of the Argentina icon, he played a key role in guiding his son throughout much of his journey to the top of world football.