Lionel Messi made his return to the pitch in the MLS + MX League Cup match against Mexican side León, marking his first appearance since the passing of his father.
He came on during the second half at the new stadium in Miami but was unable to prevent his team from suffering a 2-3 defeat and elimination from the cup. It had previously been reported that Messi chose to temporarily step back from his professional duties to be with his family during this difficult period.
Messi’s father passed away on August 8, 2026, at the age of 68. He had battled an illness for some time, though the exact nature of the disease was not disclosed. Throughout Lionel Messi’s career, his father played a pivotal role, guiding and supporting him during much of his journey.
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