Hoyos reveals how Messi copes with the loss of his father
Inter Miami coach says the Argentine finds peace on the pitch after the death of Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 8 at the age of 68.
Inter Miami coach says the Argentine finds peace on the pitch after the death of Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 8 at the age of 68.
Lionel Messi is slowly finding peace on the soccer field as he deals with the death of his father, Jorge, Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said on Tuesday. Jorge Messi, the longtime father and agent of the famous Argentine, passed away on August 8, 2026, at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina.
Messi returned to Inter Miami last week. In the Leagues Cup match against Leon on August 12, he came off the bench at halftime to a standing ovation, but his team lost 3-2 and was eliminated from the competition. On Saturday, August 15, he started for the first time in MLS since his father's death, but Inter Miami was defeated 4-1 by Nashville.
Despite the losses, Hoyos emphasizes that the 39-year-old footballer looks good. "He looks good, he expresses himself on the field, a place he knows perfectly, and he is at peace," Hoyos told reporters. "He looks good. And he is at peace."
Casemiro, who joined Inter Miami this summer, praised Messi's willingness to return despite the circumstances. "He is a great example," Casemiro said after the match against Leon. "He is going through a very difficult time, but the commitment he has shown, not only to the players but also to the club, has been incredible. I have never seen anything like it in my life."
Messi publicly said goodbye to his father last week in an emotional tribute, describing him as his "dad, friend, and agent." His father was a central figure throughout his entire career, accompanying him from Rosario through Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami.
In the match against Nashville, Messi missed a penalty but later assisted Telasco Segovia for the equalizer in stoppage time of the first half. Nashville took control in the second half and celebrated a 4-1 victory, with Hany Mukhtar scoring twice and Sam Surridge also getting on the scoresheet.
Hoyos stated that the club is focused on supporting its captain, not on adding extra pressure. For Messi, the field has long been a place where he communicates without words, and now, amid grief, it offers him a familiar environment, routine, and a temporary escape from the loss he is still processing.
