Inter Miami plays on in Leagues Cup vs. Monterrey amid grief for Messi's father

Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald on Aug 8, 2026

Published in Soccer

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MIAMI — Lionel Messi returned to Argentina on Saturday to be with his family after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at age 68 following a long illness.

Inter Miami was forced to play without its captain in the second Leagues Cup group stage game against Mexican team Monterrey. Messi’s teammates wore black armbands as a tribute and a moment of silence was observed at Nu Stadium.

La Familia, Inter Miami’s most ardent supporters, waved a large banner that said “Fuerza Leo” (Stay Strong, Leo) and chanted, “Ole, Ole, Ole, Leo, Leo!”

Messi’s absence, along with the suspension of Luis Suarez and injuries to German Berterame and Mateo Silvetti, left Inter Miami’s attack depleted. Daniel Pinter and Lovend’s Delinois started at forward. Delinois, 21, is a native of Haiti who was promoted from the second team, as Pinter was earlier this season.

The rest of the starters were goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo, right back Facundo Mura, center back Ian Fray, center back Micael, left back Noah Allen, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul (who wore captain’s armband in Messi’s absence), midfielder Casemiro, midfielder Yannick Bright and midfielder Telasco Segovia.

Miami, which won its Leagues Cup opener 4-2 against San Luis on Wednesday, expected a tough match against Rayados (“The Striped Ones”, as the Monterrey team is known). Monterrey eliminated Inter Miami from the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup in the quarterfinals.

Monterrey was a semifinalist in the 2023 Leagues Cup, which Miami went on to win in a dramatic penalty kick shootout over Nashville weeks after Messi’s arrival in MLS.

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