Emotional Moment as De Paul Honors Messi After Scoring

Inter Miami took the field under a cloud of grief. Following the death of Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, the Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Monterrey began with a minute of silence. The most memorable moment of the night came in the 32nd minute, when Rodrigo De Paul scored and dedicated the goal to his absent Argentina teammate.

Messi was not part of the match, having returned to Rosario, Argentina, after his father’s passing. In his absence, De Paul wore the captain’s armband and not only led the team but also delivered a powerful gesture of friendship and support.

In the 32nd minute, De Paul received a perfectly weighted pass from Casemiro just outside the penalty area. He controlled the ball and fired a right-footed shot into the net. Immediately after scoring, the Argentine midfielder created an emotional scene by removing his shirt to reveal Messi’s number 10 jersey underneath. Holding it up to the crowd, he sent a clear message of solidarity to his grieving teammate.

The atmosphere inside Chase Stadium had already been deeply emotional. In the 10th minute, fans stood together chanting Messi’s name, waving Argentine flags and showing their support. One banner read “Fuerza, Leo” — “Stay strong, Leo.” For a moment, the stadium felt less like a football arena and more like a place of collective mourning and unity.

Jorge Messi passed away at the age of 68. The Argentine Football Association confirmed the news in an official statement and said that Lionel Messi would attend a private memorial service in Rosario. He was seen arriving in his hometown on Saturday night.

Inter Miami also paid tribute before kickoff. Jorge Messi’s name was displayed on the stadium’s giant screens, a minute of silence was observed, and the players wore black armbands as a sign of respect for the Messi family.

Despite the emotional motivation, the night did not end with a victory for Miami. After taking the lead through De Paul, the team eventually suffered a 2–1 defeat to Monterrey. It was Inter Miami’s second match of the Leagues Cup campaign.

The result leaves Miami in a difficult position in the standings. With one win and one loss from two matches, they currently sit ninth, while only the top four teams will advance to the knockout stage. Their final group-stage match will be played against León on 12 August.

The scoreline may not have favored Inter Miami, but Casemiro’s pass, De Paul’s goal, and the heartfelt tribute to Lionel Messi turned the evening into something far more meaningful than a football match.