Rodrigo De Paul scored Inter Miami’s first goal in the match against Rayados de Monterrey in the Leagues Cup and, in his celebration, showed a Lionel Messi shirt he was wearing underneath his own. The gesture occurred in the 31st minute of the first half, when the midfielder unleashed a low, precise shot that beat goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas, as reported by Crónica and La Derecha Diario.
The match, played at Inter Miami’s stadium, was marked by Messi’s absence, as he traveled to Rosario following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at age 68. De Paul, recently signed by the American team, assumed the captaincy in the absence of the Rosario native and responded with a goal he dedicated to his teammate and friend.
A Tribute on the Pitch
According to Crónica, as soon as he scored the 1-0, De Paul pulled off his Inter Miami shirt and revealed the one he wore in tribute to Messi. He then walked toward the stands to show it to the fans. La Derecha Diario agreed that the gesture was interpreted as a show of support for his Argentina national team teammate, with whom he shares a close relationship.
The match began with a minute of silence in memory of Jorge Messi, and Inter Miami players wore black armbands. During the 10th minute, fans unfurled a banner with the message “Fuerza, Leo,” as reported by Crónica.
Reactions and Condolences
Inter Miami expressed its condolences through social media: “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family,” it posted, and added a black ribbon to its crest on its digital profiles. Don Garber, commissioner of Major League Soccer, also sent his support, according to Crónica.
In Argentina, Newell’s Old Boys, the club Jorge Messi supported, was one of the first institutions to publicly bid him farewell. Leones FC, the Messi family club chaired by Matías Horacio Messi, Lionel’s older brother, also suspended its activities. From Barcelona, the club where Messi built much of his career, condolences also arrived.
Documents and Sources Consulted
This article is based on two secondary sources: Crónica and La Derecha Diario. No access was had to official club statements or to statements from the protagonists beyond those cited by those media outlets. Below, it details what each source establishes and what questions remain open.
| Document/Source | What it establishes | What it does not establish | Open questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crónica (secondary source) | Details De Paul’s goal, the gesture of showing the shirt, the minute of silence, the fans’ banner, and the condolences from Inter Miami, MLS, Newell’s, Leones FC, and Barcelona. | Does not specify the source of the information about the goal nor offer direct statements from De Paul or Messi. | What did De Paul say after the match? How did Messi react upon seeing the gesture? |
| La Derecha Diario (secondary source) | Confirms the goal, De Paul’s captaincy, and the tribute with the shirt. Mentions the minute of silence and the fans’ banner. | Does not mention the condolences from clubs or the suspension of Leones FC’s activities. | Were there other shows of support not reported by this outlet? |
The two sources agree on the central facts: the goal, the tribute, and the context of Jorge Messi’s death. However, Crónica provides more details on institutional reactions, while La Derecha Diario focuses on De Paul’s gesture. Neither is a primary source, as they do not include official statements or verbatim quotes from those involved.
What to Follow
It will be relevant to observe whether Inter Miami or MLS publish official statements from De Paul or Messi about the tribute, as well as the development of the mourning period and the possible return of Messi to the team. There could also be news about the investigation into Jorge Messi’s death, although no details have been released so far.
Fuentes consultadas
- Crónica
- Argentina.gob.ar Fuente primaria
- La Derecha Diario
El Sereno contrastó las fuentes enlazadas y añadió contexto, comparación o análisis documental. Las fuentes primarias están identificadas. La nota no se presenta como investigación de campo ni como entrevista propia, salvo indicación expresa.
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