Messi misses Miami game following father's death

MIAMI -- Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Monterrey on Saturday following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Jorge Messi died Saturday at a hospital in the central Argentina city of Rosario. He was 68. Jorge is survived by his four children: Lionel and his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and Lionel's younger sister, María Sol. Lionel Messi was absent from Miami's matchday roster named shortly before the MLS side took on Mexican club Monterrey at Nu Stadium. A minute's silence will be held ahead of kickoff, and players will also wear black armbands. In the absence of Messi, his club and international teammate Rodrigo De Paul will captain the team Saturday. "Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family," Inter Miami said in an earlier statement. Messi's longtime friend and teammate Luis Suárez, who will miss Saturday's game due to a suspension, also sent a message of support. "Friend, I hug you and your family strongly," he posted on Instagram. "Your dad, from above, will continue to watch you with pride like he did always. All my love in these difficult moments to the Messi Family. Rest in peace, Jorge." Messi featured in Inter Miami's first Leagues Cup match of the 2026 tournament, recording two goals and an assist in the 4-2 victory over Atlético de San Luis on Wednesday. The Inter Miami captain recently led Argentina to the World Cup final while navigating the illness of his father. Messi cried after scoring the first of his three goals in Argentina's World Cup match against Algeria before later explaining he wept for "a reason unrelated to sports." Jorge Messi played a fundamental role in his third son's career, serving as his agent and managing his business affairs. He was the one who traveled with a young Messi to Barcelona in the early 2000s for the trial that would open the doors to La Masia, the club's youth academy. Lionel Messi made his professional debut in 2005 and went on to win eight Ballon d'Or awards. He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title. "My dad was always by my side," Lionel Messi said in a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata. "Sometimes I would lock myself in my room to cry when we arrived in Barcelona, or my dad would do the same without me seeing him, or thinking I didn't see him. We pretended we were both OK, but we weren't. "My dad even asked me what I wanted to do when we were feeling down, if I wanted to stay or go back, and I wanted to stay, and he stayed with me." Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.