Football

Neymar Jr. Expresses Deep Emotions Following Lionel Messi's Tribute to His Late Father, Jorge

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 13, 2026, 07:37 IST

Lionel Messi grieves for his father, Jorge, while receiving encouragement from Neymar and Ronaldo. He returns to Inter Miami amid career uncertainties.

Neymar Jr. Expresses Deep Emotions Following Lionel Messi's Tribute to His Late Father, Jorge

In a poignant moment for the football community, Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. joined fellow athletes in expressing condolences to Argentine icon Lionel Messi following the recent passing of Messi's father, Jorge. The 68-year-old Jorge Messi, who had been a constant presence in his son's life and career, was unable to attend a FIFA World Cup match for the first time due to health issues that required medical observation, as confirmed by the family.

On Wednesday, Messi took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute to his father, reflecting on their shared journey and the profound impact Jorge had on his life. In his emotional post, Messi conveyed feelings of uncertainty about the future without his father, who had been instrumental in every phase of his illustrious career. Neymar responded with a supportive message, stating, “Much strength for you and your family ❤️ big hug,” highlighting the solidarity among footballers during difficult times.

Messi's Return to the Field

Despite the recent loss, Messi quickly returned to the pitch, making himself available for Inter Miami's crucial Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Leon. After attending his father's funeral near Rosario on August 9, Messi arrived in Miami on Tuesday night, ready to contribute to his team's efforts in the tournament. His presence was particularly significant as Miami sought to recover from a previous 2-1 defeat to Monterrey, which left them in a precarious position in the group stage.

In his tribute, Messi expressed “serious doubts” about his ability to continue playing for much longer without his father by his side. Nevertheless, he was determined to support his team in their quest for advancement in the Leagues Cup, a competition that features teams from both Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. With only three points from their first two matches, Miami faced a must-win situation against Leon, needing a victory and favorable outcomes in other matches to secure a place in the knockout stage.