Messi plays in Inter Miami defeat by Leon only hours after retirement hint

Lionel Messi made an emotional return to Inter Miami just days after the death of his father and agent Jorge Messi, who passed away at age 68. Messi flew back from Argentina on Tuesday night following the funeral and came on at half-time against Mexico's Leon in the Leagues Cup on August 13, 2026. Despite his return, Inter Miami were knocked out of the tournament after a 3-2 defeat, with Messi also hinting at retirement earlier that same day.