Now Reading: Messi returns after father’s death, gets hug from opponent
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Messi returns after father’s death, gets hug from opponent
Lionel Messi returned to the pitch just four days after his father Jorge died aged 68, coming on as a halftime substitute for Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup match against Club…
The Story in Brief
Lionel Messi returned to the pitch just four days after his father Jorge died aged 68, coming on as a halftime substitute for Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup match against Club León. The Argentine received an impromptu hug from León defender Jhohan Romana, a gesture the Mexican club said was "from everyone, from soccer" for Messi. Earlier, Messi had posted on Instagram that he was unsure about continuing his career: "All I ever did was play soccer, and now I have serious doubts." Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo also sent emotional messages, reports sports.ndtv.com.
Miami lost 3-2 and were eliminated from the competition. Jorge Messi had been his son's agent and managed his affairs from the start of his career.
The Indian Opinion
The viral hug between Messi and Romana has been romanticised as football’s brotherhood, but it obscures a harder truth. Messi himself admitted on Instagram he doubts he can continue. His return was too soon: Inter Miami lost 3-2 and crashed out of the Leagues Cup. Sentiment does not win matches. The real test is not a warm embrace but whether Messi can still produce on the pitch without his father-manager. If he struggles in the next few games, commercial pressure may force an early retirement.
Sources (2): sports.ndtv.com, indiatoday.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
