Lionel Messi pauses Inter Miami duties after his father's death

Lionel Messi announced a temporary withdrawal from Inter Miami after his father, Jorge Messi, died. Jorge, a former steel-mill worker, had relocated the family to Spain when Messi was 13 to seek treatment for a growth-hormone condition and to pursue a career at Barcelona. After a career that spanned Barcelona, Paris and now Miami, Jorge remained the behind-the-scenes manager of Messi’s affairs.

Following the World Cup, Messi returned to Rosario to be with his family and has indicated he will not set a return date for the club. Teammates Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria are slated to join him in Argentina. According to Argentine outlet Doble Amarilla, Messi will remain in his home country for as long as needed.