Inter Miami players observe a minute of silence in honor of Jorge Messi, the father of Argentine star and Miami striker Lionel Messi, ahead of the Leagues Cup 2026 group stage football match between host Miami and Monterrey

Miami (AFP) - Lionel Messi was absent following the death of his father as Inter Miami lost 2-1 to visiting Monterrey on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match.

Teams observed a minute of silence before the match for Jorge Messi, who died at age 68 in Argentina, where the Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi arrived on Saturday night.

“Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family,” Inter Miami said in a statement.

Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul scored in the 32nd minute to give Miami a 1-0 half-time lead in the group match against the Mexican side.

De Paul took off his number seven shirt to show a number 10 underneath, in a gesture of support to Messi.

Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers leveled in the 47th minute before Uruguayan striker Diego Rossi scored a 90th-minute winner.

Major League Soccer champions Miami have won their first group match 4-2 against Atletico San Luis and next face Leon on Wednesday.