Rodrigo De Paul produced a second of brilliance and an emotional tribute to his shut good friend Lionel Messi after scoring Inter Miami’s opener towards Monterrey, revealing Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey beneath his personal shirt.It was an emotional night time for Inter Miami after the dying of Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, who handed away in Rosario, Argentina, on the age of 68.Messi was absent from the Leagues Cup Group A conflict as he returned to Argentina to be together with his household following his father’s dying. In his absence, De Paul stepped up with a purpose that was each spectacular and deeply private.
De Paul’s beautiful tribute to Messi
De Paul opened the scoring with an outstanding long-range effort, driving a low strike from outdoors the field into the bottom-left nook.The Argentina midfielder instantly sprinted in the direction of the nook earlier than taking off his Inter Miami shirt. Beneath was Messi’s well-known No. 10 jersey — a tribute the 32-year-old had clearly deliberate in case he discovered the web.The gesture carried specific significance given the shut friendship between the 2 Argentina internationals.De Paul and Messi have been teammates throughout Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup marketing campaign and remained shut after De Paul joined Inter Miami. The pair have additionally shared the pitch on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the place Argentina completed runners-up.With Messi unavailable, De Paul’s purpose supplied an emotional reminder of the bond between the 2 gamers.WATCH:
Messi misses match after father’s dying
Messi’s absence got here after the dying of Jorge Messi, who was not solely his father but in addition performed a central function in his soccer profession.Jorge accompanied a younger Messi to Barcelona for the trial that ultimately helped open the doorways to La Masia. He later grew to become his son’s agent and dealt with main elements of his enterprise and profession.His dying was due to this fact a deeply private loss for Messi and his household.De Paul’s tribute got here at a very tough second for his good friend, with the midfielder selecting the largest stage out there to ship a message of assist.The purpose was additionally essential for an Inter Miami facet lacking a number of key gamers. De Paul, who joined the MLS membership after his spell at Atletico Madrid, has change into an essential presence in Miami’s midfield.However on this event, his first thought after discovering the web was not himself or the consequence – it was Messi.De Paul delivered a easy however highly effective message to his absent good friend and his household: he was considering of them.
