Key Takeaways:
- Lionel Messi returned for Inter Miami following the passing of his father, but the team was eliminated from the Leagues Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Leon
- Daniel Arcila scored twice to help Leon overturn Miami’s initial lead and secure a quarter-final place
- This marks the first instance of Miami exiting in the opening phase since the tournament expanded in 2023
Messi’s Emotional Comeback Amidst Personal Loss
Lionel Messi made a poignant return for Inter Miami, just days after his father’s passing. The Miami skipper flew back from Argentina to Florida on Tuesday evening, having attended Jorge Messi’s funeral on Sunday. His father, who was also his agent, passed away last week aged 68.
Messi entered the match at half-time to an overwhelming reception from the fans. Earlier on Wednesday, he had shared a heartfelt tribute to his late father via social media, citing uncertainty about his footballing future. Messi wrote, “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on. I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer.”
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Leo Messi is ELIMINATED from the group stage of an official competition for the FIRS TIME in his career.
Inter Miami got knocked out of the Leagues Cup after losing to Club León today. ❌ pic.twitter.com/fMwTZWylTv
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 13, 2026
Match Overview: Leon Clinch Last Eight Spot
Despite taking an early lead, Inter Miami were unable to capitalise, ultimately being overpowered by Leon, who claimed a 3-2 victory. Miami went ahead, but Colombian Daniel Arcila found the net twice, inspiring Leon’s comeback. With this result, Leon became the first team to secure a place in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals, a competition featuring outfits from both Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
| Fixture | Score |
|---|---|
| Inter Miami vs Leon | 2-3 |
Miami’s Tournament Struggles and Past Achievements
Messi made himself available to manager Guillermo Hoyos for this must-win clash after missing the group stage encounter against Monterrey, which Miami lost, leaving them in need of a victory to keep their campaign alive. However, they failed to progress, marking the first time since the 2023 expansion that Miami have been eliminated at such an early stage.
Miami had previously lifted the Leagues Cup trophy in 2023, soon after welcoming Messi and fellow Spaniards Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to Florida. They reached the 2025 final, but suffered a comprehensive 3-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders.
