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Lionel Messi scores, pays tribute to late father Jorge in emotional return for Inter Miami
20th August, 2026 11:36 AM
Lionel Messi marked his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, with a touching tribute during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer on Thursday morning, August 20, 2026.
The Argentine forward found the net in the 26th minute, putting Miami ahead 2-1 with a trademark left-footed effort that curled into the far corner of the goal.
Rather than an elaborate celebration, Messi briefly acknowledged his teammates before raising his hands towards the sky in memory of his father, who died on August 8 at the age of 68.
Messi had also played a role in Miami’s opening goal just five minutes earlier. He released Uruguay international Luis Suarez down the left, with Suarez heading the ball into the path of young American Daniel Pinter, who finished from close range.
Philadelphia had opened the scoring through Indiana Vassilev in the 11th minute before Messi turned the game around for the visitors. Neil Pierre restored parity for the Union in the 58th minute to ensure the points were shared.
“We came to win, but we couldn’t,” Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the match.
“We’re not happy with the draw because we don’t like it, but now we need to try to rest and think about the next game, which is in less than 72 hours,” he added, with Miami preparing to face Toronto FC on Saturday.
The goal moved 39-year-old Messi to 13 league goals for the campaign, putting him second in the MLS scoring standings. Dallas forward Petar Musa leads the chart with 16 after scoring twice in his team’s 4-3 victory over Real Salt Lake.
Messi had gone without a goal in Miami’s previous two games following his return from Argentina after his father’s death. Inter Miami were eliminated from the League Cup by Mexican club Leon in a 3-2 defeat before suffering a heavy 4-1 loss to Nashville in MLS, a match in which Messi missed a penalty.
The latest draw means Miami have now failed to win their last four matches. They sit seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville, who defeated the New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Wednesday.
Messi’s goal therefore offered a personal moment of significance, even as Inter Miami continued to search for a return to winning form.
