Lionel Messi had an emotional moment in the game on Wednesday during Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer match against Philadelphia Union.
Argentina star Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier this month. Messi looked up to the sky after the strike and pointed his head up, in a touching tribute to his late father.
Jorge Messi died on August 8 at 68 in Rosario, Argentina. He played a big role in his son’s football career and was Messi’s agent for many years.
The goal came in the 26th minute at Subaru Park. Messi received the ball in the penalty area, made a quick move past a defender, and curled his left-footed shot into the far corner of the net.
His teammates immediately surrounded him after the goal. Messi shared a brief celebration with them before turning his attention towards the sky.
The moment was more emotional than a normal goal celebration because it was Messi's first goal since losing his father.
Messi returns to scoring after personal loss
Messi had returned to action only recently after traveling to Argentina following his father's death.
He made his first appearance after the loss on August 12 when Inter Miami faced Club León in the Leagues Cup. Messi came on at halftime but could not prevent his team from losing 3-2.
Messi wrote an emotional message to his father before returning to the pitch. Jorge had been an important part of his life and career, he said, and it was painful to go on without him.
Jorge Messi supported his son in the early days of his football career. He also managed many aspects of Messi’s professional career as his agent.
Messi's return to football therefore came during a very difficult personal period.
Against Philadelphia Union, though, he was really sharp on the pitch. Aside from the goal, he also provided an assist in the game.
It was Messi’s 13th MLS goal and his 70th in the competition so far. It was also the 922nd goal of his remarkable professional career, according to reports.
Even with the way he did this performance proved that Messi was still able to make such a big impact given all the pressure he was under and didn’t have to struggle with the situation that he had to do so.
The match ended 2-2, meaning Inter Miami had to settle for a draw. But the result did end the team’s three-match losing run.
Messi's goal gave Inter Miami a 2-1 lead in the first half. Philadelphia Union later equalised, denying Miami a much-needed victory.
A Special Tribute to Jorge Messi
For Messi, the goal was so much more than football.
His point to the sky after scoring was widely seen as a tribute to his father. But the celebration was quiet and emotional rather than the kind of energetic celebration fans often see from the Argentine superstar.
Messi has spoken openly about how difficult the loss has been.
Jorge was Messi’s father and one of the most influential people in his career. He was also very involved in his son’s career and so connected to him going from a young footballer in Argentina to a big name in world football.
The loss came at a particularly important stage of Messi's career.
He still plays for Inter Miami at 39 and is still a key player for his club and Argentina. He has been in charge of Argentina recently at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he got them to the final, but they lost to Spain.
Messi’s return to the pitch, with the personal setback, was the best part of his life.
His performance this time was evidence of that once again. He scored, created a goal for a teammate, and helped Inter Miami avoid another defeat.
The emotional moment resonated with fans in all parts of the world and Messi's relationship with his father was a significant part of his story and the moment really showed the human side of a footballer who has spent so much of his career in the spotlight.
The goal also moved Messi closer to the top of the MLS Golden Boot race. Messi has 13 league goals to date and is just one goal behind Dallas striker Petar Musa at the top. Messi won the Golden Boot last season.
For Inter Miami, the draw with Philadelphia Union wasn’t the result they wanted. But Messi’s return to the scoresheet was an important positive moment.
More importantly, the goal allowed Messi to honour his father in a way that was personal and natural.
He did not require a long celebration or a speech. A look toward the sky was all that was required.
The moment captured both Messi’s life at once. He was back on the football field and doing what he has done during his career with a team that has been his life, but also mourning the loss of someone who was so much of Messi’s life for years.
And it was one of the most emotional moments of Messi's recent career for fans watching around the world.
His father might no longer be there to watch him play, but Messi’s tribute showed that Jorge’s presence remains an important part of his story.
And on a night when Messi returned to scoring, his first thought when he found the net was to look towards the sky.
