Messi’s comeback ends in heartbreak as Miami bow out of Leagues Cup

Lionel Messi returned to action amid personal grief, but his comeback could not prevent Inter Miami from crashing out of the Leagues Cup at the group stage after a 3-2 home defeat to Mexican side Leon.

Playing in his first match since the death of his father five days earlier, Messi came on as a second-half substitute in the match early Thursday (August 13). The Argentina star had been a doubt for the game following the family bereavement, with Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos refusing to confirm his availability beforehand.

Messi started on the bench but was introduced at halftime as Miami looked to protect a 1-0 lead. He immediately helped sharpen the hosts' attack, creating several opportunities for teammates, but could not inspire a comeback as Leon turned the game around.

Miami dominated possession, controlling 62% of the ball and registering 19 shots, eight of them on target. Leon, however, proved far more clinical, scoring three times from 10 attempts, with six on target.

Daniel Pinter opened the scoring for Miami in the 42nd minute, converting Ian Fray's pass to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Messi entered after the break, but Leon struck five minutes into the second half when Daniel Archila levelled the score in the 50th minute.

Miami quickly regained the lead through Yannick Bright three minutes later, only for Juan Pablo Dominguez to equalise for Leon in the 61st minute.

Archila then completed his brace in the 83rd minute to put Leon ahead 3-2. Miami failed to find an equaliser before the final whistle.

The defeat confirmed Inter Miami's elimination from the Leagues Cup at the group stage, leaving Messi's long-awaited return overshadowed by another disappointing night.