De Paul dedicates goal to bereaved Messi

Lionel Messi was not on the field. But his presence was felt time and again during Inter Miami's match against Mexican club Monterrey. When Rodrigo De Paul scored and took off his jersey, the iconic number 10 jersey symbol of Messi was visible on his undershirt. De Paul's celebration, as a message of love, friendship and support for the grieving Messi, moved football fans.

Just hours before the match, Messi's father, Jorge Messi, passed away while undergoing treatment in Argentina. He was 68. As Messi left for Argentina to attend his father's funeral, he could not play for Inter Miami against Monterrey. Miami had to play the crucial match without their star player.

Both teams paid tribute before the match following the death of Messi's father. A minute's silence was observed before kick-off. Inter Miami fans also showed up in the stands with banners and placards supporting Messi, reading "Stay strong, Leo." These messages were a sign of solidarity with the beloved player during this time of grief.

Then, in the 31st minute of the match, his close friend and national team teammate Rodrigo De Paul remembered Messi in another way. The Argentine midfielder unleashed a powerful strike from well outside the penalty box, beating Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas. After scoring that spectacular goal, De Paul took off his jersey.

As he removed his jersey, Messi's number 10 symbol was visible on his undershirt. It became immediately clear that he had dedicated the goal to his grieving friend. The emotional celebration quickly went viral on social media. The moment became even more special for football fans aware of the long-standing friendship between Messi and De Paul.

De Paul is not only Messi's national teammate but also a close friend off the field. During the 2026 World Cup, Messi had gone through a difficult time due to his father's illness, with De Paul standing by his side for the national team. Now, after losing his father, De Paul once again showed his support from the field during one of the toughest moments of Messi's life.

However, De Paul's goal ultimately could not secure a win for Inter Miami. Although they led at half-time, Monterrey fought back in the second half. Hugo Quipers scored in the latter part of the match to level the game. Then, Diego Rossi netted in the 90th minute, handing Monterrey a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Inter Miami thus tasted defeat in a crucial match without Messi. But despite the team's loss, De Paul's goal celebration found a special place in the hearts of football fans, as it was not just a goal celebration but an emotional message of standing by a grieving friend.