Rodrigo De Paul Pays Emotional Tribute To Lionel Messi After Father Jorge's Death (Watch Video)
Rodrigo de Paul scored for Inter Miami against CF Monterrey in the Leagues Cup on August 8, 2026, dedicating his goal to Lionel Messi following the death of Messi's father, Jorge Messi. De Paul revealed a Messi No. 10 jersey in a touching tribute at Nu Stadium, despite Inter Miami's 2-1 defeat. The emotional moment has garnered widespread attention as a.
In an emotionally charged Leagues Cup clash, Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul delivered a powerful tribute to his close friend and Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, following the passing of Messi's father, Jorge Messi, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. De Paul, who joined Inter Miami in 2025, scored Inter Miami's opening goal against CF Monterrey at Nu Stadium, immediately celebrating by revealing a Messi No. 10 jersey beneath his own. Lionel Messi's Father Jorge Messi Passes Away After Prolonged Battle With Illness.
Rodrigo de Paul's Emotional Tribute
Rodrigo De Paul strikes from distance for the opener and honors his friend Leo Messi and his family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/96GEG7XpMh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 9, 2026
Jorge Messi, 68, passed away in Rosario, Argentina, on Saturday after a prolonged illness. Lionel Messi was absent from the Leagues Cup fixture, having returned to Argentina to be with his family during this difficult time. His teammates, however, ensured his presence was felt on the field.
Rodrigo De Paul's Poignant Gesture
The pivotal moment arrived in the 32nd minute when Rodrigo de Paul, receiving a pass, unleashed a spectacular long-range shot from outside the box that found the bottom-left corner of the net, beating Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas. The Argentine midfielder then sprinted towards the corner, removed his Inter Miami shirt, and beneath it, displayed Messi's iconic No. 10 jersey, pointing to the name and number. This pre-planned gesture, which earned De Paul a yellow card for excessive celebration, resonated deeply, symbolizing the strong bond between the two World Cup winners and offering comfort to the grieving Messi family. The entire Inter Miami squad also wore black armbands in honor of Jorge Messi.
Match Details and Outcome
The Leagues Cup Phase One match, held at Nu Stadium in Miami, FL, kicked off at 8:00 PM ET on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Despite De Paul's inspiring opener, Inter Miami ultimately fell to CF Monterrey with a 2-1 defeat. Monterrey rallied with two unanswered goals from their attackers, Hugo Cuypers and Diego Rossi. Lionel Messi Retirement: AFA President Claudio Tapia Says Argentina Legend to Solely Decide His Future.
Key Match Facts
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Competition | Leagues Cup 2026, Phase One |
| Teams | Inter Miami CF vs. CF Monterrey |
| Date | Saturday, August 8, 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | 8:00 PM ET (America/New_York) |
| Venue | Nu Stadium, Miami, FL |
| Score | Inter Miami CF 1 - 2 CF Monterrey |
| Inter Miami Goal | Rodrigo de Paul (32') |
Inter Miami's Leagues Cup Campaign
Inter Miami entered the match having secured a convincing 4-2 victory over Liga MX side Atlético San Luis in their Leagues Cup opener earlier in the week. The loss to Monterrey, however, makes their path to the knockout stage more challenging in a tournament where only the top four teams from each league-specific table advance to the quarterfinals.
De Paul's emotional gesture was a poignant reminder of the human element in professional sports, transcending the game itself to offer solace and support in a moment of profound personal loss for his captain and friend, Lionel Messi.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2026 10:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
