Rodrigo De Paul channels all of his energy into Lionel Messi: A goal and emotional tribute for his Inter Miami and Argentina friend
Rodrigo De Paul honored his friend Lionel Messi by scoring a goal for Inter Miami and revealing a Messi jersey underneath his own. This gesture followed the passing of Messi's father, Jorge Messi, which caused the soccer star to miss the match.
Why it matters
This highlights the personal bonds between high-profile athletes and the human side of professional sports coverage.
Saturday was a truly trying day for everyone associated with Lionel Messi. The soccer legend's father, Jorge Messi, passed away at 68 years old in Rosario, Argentina. Jorge had been dealing with an illness for a while, which became apparent during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where fans saw a more emotional Leo Messi than ever before. Jorge's death forced Lionel to miss Inter Miami's Leagues Cup group match against Monterrey on Saturday night, as he's currently with his family in Argentina. While Messi and his family go through a heartbreaking time, one of Lionel's best friends showed that he's always in the mind of those who love him.
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