Lionel Messi takes indefinite leave after father Jorge Messi's death; return date unknown

Lionel Messi has taken an indefinite leave from competitive football and flown to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, after receiving word on Friday that his father, Jorge Messi, had died. No timetable has been set for the 39-year-old forward's return to play.

Messi travelled on a private flight earlier this week to attend a private funeral service alongside his family. He was in South Florida preparing for Inter Miami's upcoming Leagues Cup fixture against Monterrey when he received the news. Inter Miami officials have granted Messi full support and unconditional leave, allowing him to remain in Argentina for as long as he deems necessary. As a result, the club has not established a potential return date.

The loss of Jorge Messi is a monumental personal blow for the world champion. Beyond their familial bond, Jorge served as his son's primary manager, representative, and advisor from the earliest stages of his youth career in Rosario through his decades at the summit of global football.

The interruption to Messi's season comes as he was regaining top physical form. He had recently returned to action with a two-goal performance against Atltico San Luis in the Leagues Cup. All sporting priorities have now been put on hold while he is with his family.

Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has logged 92 goals in 107 matches across Major League Soccer, Concacaf tournaments, the Leagues Cup, and domestic cup play. Those figures represent an average of 0.86 goals per match and a strike rate of one goal every 96.2 minutes since his arrival in MLS.

On a broader level, Messi's total career tally stands at 921 goals, leaving him 79 short of the 1,000-goal milestone. For now, those career statistics remain secondary to his personal circumstances.

Messi remains with his family in Rosario, and his return to Miami and subsequent availability for selection will depend entirely on his personal readiness to resume play.