Lionel Messi flew home to Rosario on a private jet last Friday, and right now, nobody knows when he's coming back.
Jorge Messi, Lionel's father and long-time manager, has passed away. The news reached Messi while he was in Florida preparing for Inter Miami's Leagues Cup clash against Monterrey. He left immediately. Inter Miami have since given him open-ended leave — no return date, no pressure, no deadline. The club, to their credit, has handled this the right way.
More than just a father
Jorge Messi wasn't simply a parent in the stands. He was the architect of his son's career from the beginning — the man who negotiated contracts, guided decisions, and sat across the table from clubs when Lionel was still a teenager in Catalonia. Their relationship was professional as much as personal. That makes this loss harder to quantify, and harder to recover from quickly.
The timing is difficult in footballing terms too. Messi had just rediscovered something close to his best form, scoring twice against Atlético San Luis in the Leagues Cup. Inter Miami were building momentum. That stops now, and for good reason.
Where this leaves Inter Miami
Messi has scored 92 goals in 107 appearances across all competitions since joining Miami in 2023 — nearly a goal per game. His absence doesn't just hurt Inter Miami tactically; it reshapes their Leagues Cup prospects entirely. Any pre-tournament optimism around their odds should be tempered sharply until there's clarity on his return.
In his overall career, Messi sits on 921 goals. The 1,000-goal milestone — 79 away — was starting to feel realistic within the next year or so. That timeline is now on hold.
There is no timetable. There shouldn't be one. Messi is in Rosario with his family, and that is where he needs to be.
