Lionel Messi suffered the heartbreaking loss of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8, 2026. A key figure in the soccer star’s life and career, the 68-year-old had been suffering from a prolonged illness before passing away at the Sanatorio Centro medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina.
Jorge played a major role in his son’s career, serving as his longtime agent, manager, and closest confidant. He also guided Messi through several major career decisions, from his early days at Barcelona to his eventual move to Inter Miami.
Following news of his father’s passing, Messi flew to Rosario on Saturday night, where he attended a private memorial service with his family.
When is Lionel Messi Returning to Inter Miami?
Reports immediately following the tragic news claimed that Messi was going to step away from Inter Miami for an unknown period of time.
However, reports later varied, with some suggesting that the 38-year-old could return to the club soon as Inter Miami prepare for their next Leagues Cup fixture on August 13.
Addressing the news, Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos also expressed his sadness, saying that the entire team felt Messi’s pain.
"Regarding Leo, we know what happened, and it is a huge shame, a source of great pain, and we have really felt that impact," he said.
"It has been very hard. Often, there are no words for it. When you go through such a difficult experience, it is hard to recover, yet it is something we all face. In a way, we never truly learn from it because the pain is so intense.”
When asked about a possible return date, Hoyos said he had no knowledge of when Messi might return.
As of now, there is no confirmation regarding Messi’s return date. The 38-year-old has certainly not announced his retirement, but he could spend an extended period away from soccer as he and his family deal with this difficult loss.
