Inter Miami were without their captain Lionel Messi for the match against Monterrey in the League Cup on Sunday, August 9. Messi was absent as he grieved the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died on Saturday, August 8 at a hospital in Rosario. He flew to the city on Saturday evening.
The club paid tribute to Messi with a moment of silence before the match began at Inter Miami Stadium. Supporters also voiced their backing in the 10th minute by waving flags reading "Fuerza Leo" to show solidarity with their captain.
Messi's team-mate at Inter Miami and in the Argentina national team, Rodrigo De Paul, scored the only goal for the side. After scoring, De Paul celebrated by putting on Messi's No. 10 jersey as a tribute. "Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family," Inter Miami wrote.
Monterrey staged a comeback after falling behind first and won the match 2-1 through goals by Hugo Cuypers in the 47th minute and Diego Rossi in the 90th minute. The defeat saw Inter Miami eliminated from the League Cup.
