Dedicated to Leo: Rodrigo De Paul pays heartfelt tribute to Messi following his father's passing

Messi was unavailable for Inter Miami's League Cup game against Monterrey due to a visit to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, following the demise of his father. (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, License Details)

Football creates moments that transcend the game, and on Sunday, Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul created one in their League Cup game in Miami.

The 32-year-old scored against Monterrey and celebrated the goal, but not for himself. De Paul lifted his shirt and revealed Messi's number 10 jersey that he was wearing underneath, dedicating the goal to his close friend and teammate following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68.

Messi was not available for Inter Miami's League Cup game against Monterrey, as he visited his hometown in Rosario, Argentina, following his father's demise. Before the game, Inter Miami held a moment of silence in memory of Jorge, with the players wearing black armbands. Many fans carried posters supporting Messi inside the stadium.

Then came De Paul's heartfelt moment, when he scored with a brilliant finish and revealed Messi's shirt beneath his own. It was a simple gesture that carried enormous emotional weight, as Messi and De Paul had grown close over the years in Argentina, and their friendship has become one of the most special bonds within the Argentine national team.

Messi's loss is simply devastating, and no words can truly describe it. Jorge Messi was not only the father of the greatest football player of all time, but also one of the most influential figures in his son's development and success.

Messi's father was heavily involved in his development during his childhood, and he also served as a coach at Grandoli, a local club where Leo began his playing career.

The biggest challenge came when Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, and his treatment was prohibitively expensive, putting enormous financial strain on the Messi family.

When the treatment costs became too high in Argentina, Jorge decided to relocate Lionel to Spain when he was only 13 years old. FC Barcelona agreed to support Messi's treatment while also allowing him to develop as a professional footballer at La Masia. The rest is just history, as this move changed football history forever.

Even after Messi became a professional, Jorge Messi became his son's agent, handling contractual affairs, negotiations, and brand deals. Therefore, Jorge Messi played a huge role in Lionel Messi's rise.

Messi has also spoken about his father's role in his family throughout his life, with Jorge providing constant support behind the scenes in his career. De Paul's heartfelt tribute on Sunday ensured that his presence would not be forgotten.

Messi and De Paul were key players in Argentina's 2021 Copa America victory, which ended the country's long wait for a major international trophy. They also celebrated the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa America victories together before falling short in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain. De Paul has emerged as one of Messi's most trusted teammates, both on and off the pitch.

Inter Miami eventually lost 1-2 to Monterrey, but the result didn't make the headlines. Instead, the image of De Paul wearing Messi's number 10 shirt beneath his shirt moved every fan in the stadium, including the opposing fans.

The 32-year-old scored a goal for his teammate, made a gesture for a brother, and, most importantly, paid tribute to the man who guided the little boy from Rosario, Santa Fe, to become the Lionel Messi he is now.