Lionel Messi made a substitute appearance for Inter Miami on Wednesday, just days after his father Jorge passed away in Argentina at age 68. The emotional return came as Messi contemplated his football future.

Lionel Messi took to the field for Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Leon on Wednesday, appearing as a substitute in the second half following the death of his father Jorge last week. The 39-year-old Argentine forward had traveled to his hometown of Rosario to attend a private funeral on Sunday before flying back to the United States to rejoin his team.

In a social media post, Messi expressed uncertainty about his immediate future in professional football, stating he was "really not sure if I'll carry on doing it for much longer." His father, who served as his agent since Messi was 14 years old, had been suffering from a prolonged illness. According to Messi's account, Jorge had encouraged him to play in one final World Cup despite his deteriorating health.

Messi's return came in a must-win fixture against Mexican side Leon in the final group game of the Leagues Cup. Despite his appearance, Inter Miami lost 3-2, resulting in their elimination from the competition—the first time they have been knocked out in the opening phase since the tournament's expansion in 2023, the year Messi arrived and the team won the title. Midfielder Yannick Bright, who scored Miami's second goal, expressed admiration for Messi's decision to play, calling it "incredible" and highlighting the captain's commitment to his teammates during a difficult personal period.

Leon coach Javier Gandolfi paid tribute to Messi's character, describing him as "a human being that is different to the rest" and noting that his performance once again demonstrated his exceptional qualities as both a player and person.