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Rodrigo De Paul produced a moment of brilliance and an emotional tribute to his close friend Lionel Messi after scoring Inter Miami’s opener against Monterrey, revealing Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey beneath his own shirt.It was an emotional night for Inter Miami after the death of Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, who passed away in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68.Messi was absent from the Leagues Cup Group A clash as he returned to Argentina to be with his family following his father’s death. In his absence, De Paul stepped up with a goal that was both spectacular and deeply personal.
De Paul’s stunning tribute to Messi
De Paul opened the scoring with a superb long-range effort, driving a low strike from outside the box into the bottom-left corner.The Argentina midfielder immediately sprinted towards the corner before taking off his Inter Miami shirt. Underneath was Messi’s famous No. 10 jersey — a tribute the 32-year-old had clearly planned in case he found the net.The gesture carried particular significance given the close friendship between the two Argentina internationals.De Paul and Messi were teammates during Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign and remained close after De Paul joined Inter Miami. The pair have also shared the pitch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina finished runners-up.With Messi unavailable, De Paul’s goal offered an emotional reminder of the bond between the two players.WATCH:
Messi misses match after father’s death
Messi’s absence came after the death of Jorge Messi, who was not only his father but also played a central role in his football career.Jorge accompanied a young Messi to Barcelona for the trial that eventually helped open the doors to La Masia. He later became his son’s agent and handled major aspects of his business and career.His death was therefore a deeply personal loss for Messi and his family.De Paul’s tribute came at a particularly difficult moment for his friend, with the midfielder choosing the biggest stage available to send a message of support.The goal was also important for an Inter Miami side missing several key players. De Paul, who joined the MLS club after his spell at Atletico Madrid, has become an important presence in Miami’s midfield.But on this occasion, his first thought after finding the net was not himself or the result – it was Messi.De Paul delivered a simple but powerful message to his absent friend and his family: he was thinking of them.
