During Inter Miami’s 2–1 loss to Monterrey in the Leagues Cup on Sunday, 9 August 2026, an emotional tribute unfolded on the pitch. When Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, he paid tribute to Lionel Messi, raising the iconic number 10 in honour of their captain.
Casemiro immediately rushed over to join him, both players holding up the number 10 together in a powerful gesture of support.
This tribute comes as Lionel Messi lost his father, Jorge Messi, on Saturday, 8 August 2026, which led to Messi missing the match as he travelled to Argentina to pay final respect to his late father.
Softfootball gathered that tributes have continued to pour in, with Messi’s former club Barcelona expressing their deepest condolences, and even the Ballon d’Or organisers sending heartfelt sympathies to the Messi family.
