Rafael Nadal sent Lionel Messi a heartfelt message on social media on Saturday evening after news broke that the iconic player’s father had passed away.

Jorge Messi, the man who raised arguably the greatest footballer of all time, died on Friday night at a medical clinic in the city of Rosario. The Argentine had been suffering from a long-term illness and peacefully passed away at the age of 68.

It’s said that Messi spent time with his father after the World Cup, in the weeks leading up to his death, but left recently to return to the United States to resume the MLS season with Inter Miami.

The footballing world is now mourning Jorge’s passing, and many have taken to social media to post touching tributes, including tennis legend Nadal.

Rafa Nadal’s Touching Message to Lionel Messi Following Father’s Passing

Messi has expressed his admiration for Nadal in the past, citing the 22-time Grand Slam champion as an inspiration earlier this year.

“We are currently watching the Rafa Nadal series, and I really relate to him,” Messi told Spanish media in June (via DAZN).

“I really like to play football, it is my passion since I was a child and when I am feeling good, I give my all. I think that we are very similar in that sense: I always want to give my all and feel good.”

Thus, Nadal’s heatfelt, open message to Messi after the passing of his father will likely have meant a great deal to the World Cup winner.

“Dear Leo,” the tennis icon wrote on X.

“I can’t imagine the pain you must be going through. I’m sending you all my love and my condolences to you and your entire family during such a difficult time.

“Rest in peace, Jorge.”

This tribute has gone viral on social media, picking up millions of views and encouraging many more to send messages of support to the Messi family during this trying time.

Inter Miami Pay Tribute to Jorge Messi

Nadal wasn’t the only notable account on social media to pay tribute.

Inter Miami, the club Messi has represented since 2023, sent the mourning family an earnest note.

Posting on X, the American club wrote: “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.”

Messi scored a brace and registered an assist in his final match before his father passed away on Thursday, against San Luis.

Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign Monaco star Lamine Camara after a formal bid was tabled for his services, according to reports in France.

The Red Devils made a midfield rebuild their priority for the summer, completing deals for both Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans in quick succession for a combined fee of £85m, while veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow and rookie winger Tynan Thompson have also been brought in for Michael Carrick.

But with Manuel Ugarte suffering a serious knee injury at the World Cup, Casemiro departing at the end of his contract, and Kobbie Mainoo yet to return to pre-season following his participation at the World Cup, United are still looking to add another midfielder to their squad before the new season begins.

Man Utd Eyeing Camara Deal

Camara, who has been described as a ‘beast’, is understood to be a long-standing target at Old Trafford, and the club have been keeping a close eye on his situation this summer with Monaco open to a sale, according to Foot Mercato.

The Ligue 1 giants have put a €50m (£42.8m) price tag on his head as they look to raise funds, having already sold Maghnes Akliouche to Paris Saint-Germain for the same fee. That has caught the attention of several clubs, with Premier League side Crystal Palace tabling a formal offer already.

Man Utd remain in the hunt for his signature despite that offer, and they are awaiting more developments before making a decision on whether to make a move of their own.

The Senegal international enjoyed a fine campaign with Monaco last season, being described by teammate Lukas Hradeck as ‘one of the best players’ since he returned to action following the African Cup of Nations.

“He doesn’t get the recognition he deserves,” he said.

Man Utd Midfield Shortlist Increasing

Action Images

Man Utd have been linked with a host of names throughout the transfer window for their midfield rebuild, but so far no deals have advanced since the arrival of Youri Tielemans.

• Aurelien Tchouameni – strongly linked but Real Madrid yet to give the green light to a sale.
• Carlos Baleba – he wants to join, but the gap in valuation between Man Utd and Brighton is a stumbling block.
• Alex Scott – United are very keen, and he would be open to joining, but Bournemouth are refusing to sell.
• Eduardo Camavinga – Real Madrid are open to selling the Frenchman, but he wants to stay and fight for his place.

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 08/08/2026.

Inflation is rife in the Premier League at the moment, with prices skyrocketing to ludicrous levels in recent years. The financial might of England’s top flight has never been this powerful, and this only looks set to continue over the coming years as the division pulls away from the rest of Europe as the de facto Super League.

Mid-table clubs are paying astronomical prices for players outside of the elite bracket, while at the top, deals over £100 million are no longer a rarity.

Declan Rice was bought by Arsenal for £100 million in the summer of 2023, a fee that at the time was only eclipsed by Enzo Fernandez as the most expensive Premier League signing ever. Today, the England international doesn’t even make the most expensive Premier League eleven.

With that said, here is the eleven of players (3-5-2) bought for the highest fee by English top-flight clubs in each position.

Goalkeeper and Defence

Chelsea decided to spend an absurd fee on Kepa Arrizabalaga back in 2018, paying Athletic Club a whopping £71.6 million for the Spaniard’s services. It’s safe to say this investment hasn’t been justified based on the outcome, with the shot-stopper holding the number one position for just three of his five seasons at Stamford Bridge. He’s now David Raya’s deputy at Arsenal, joining the Gunners for £5 million last summer.

This £71.6 million fee was paid at a time when spending big on goalkeepers was trendy. Both Ederson and Alisson Becker broke the world-record transfer sum for this position in the 13 months before Kepa’s move. Eight years later, the Basque man still holds this record, suggesting clubs have learned not to be as reckless in their recruitment in between the sticks.

Making up a third of the back three, Harry Maguire’s £80 million move to Manchester United remains the most expensive defensive signing ever made. The Englishman had enjoyed an impressive season at Leicester in 2018/19 before the Red Devils bought him, but nobody expected the north-west club to fork out a record transfer fee for the player.

Manchester City’s £77 million investment in Josko Gvardiol in 2023 was much more sensible. Not only had prices risen significantly by that point, but the Croatian was widely regarded as the best young defender in the world when City forked out the money. It’s gone rather well for Gvardiol in Manchester, and he could end up being sold for an even greater fee.

Virgil van Dijk’s stunning £75 million switch to Merseyside in 2018 made waves as it established the Dutchman as the most expensive defender on the planet at the time, and by some margin. He leapfrogged David Luiz, whom Paris Saint-Germain paid £50 million for in 2014, and it’s fair to say Liverpool can now stoutly defend their decision to splash this cash.

Midfield

REUTERS/Ian Walton

Manchester City and Chelsea dominate the midfield of the most expensive Premier League eleven. The two clubs have led the craze of frivolity in the middle of the park, arguably trailblazing the drive to spend big on elite ball progression and opposition transition prevention machines.

First, Chelsea shocked the world by signing Enzo Fernandez for £106.8 million off the back of a promising World Cup. This deal trounced every previous fee for a central midfielder, with Paul Pogba’s £89 million move seven years earlier the closest sum for a player in this position at the time.

This proved to be the first domino to fall, as selling clubs started citing the Fernandez deal in future negotiations. Chelsea swiftly spent another £115 million on a midfielder, signing Moises Caicedo six months after their acquisition of the Argentine.

Three years later and Elliot Anderson has been acquired by City for £116 million — a fee people are questioning at the moment, but may pale in comparison to deals for similar players in four or five years’ time.

Out wide, Manchester City broke the English transfer record and the £100 million barrier when they landed Jack Grealish for £100 million in 2021. While he delivered a treble in his second season at the Etihad, his output arguably hasn’t validated the fee that was paid for him.

Morgan Rogers followed in Grealish’s footsteps by leaving the West Midlands for an exorbitant amount five years later. The Englishman recently signed for Chelsea in an astounding £117 million switch.

Attack

REUTERS/Phil Noble

Liverpool went bonkers last summer and decided to spend more money on an attacking midfielder and a striker than any club has in the history of the Premier League. Eager to retain their crown, the Reds bit the bullet and uncharacteristically got the cheque book out.

Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen as the most coveted young number ten on the planet. Liverpool paid the £116.5 million fee required to snatch him from the German club. So far, the jury is out on the 23-year-old, although he has plenty of time to change the sentiment towards him.

Alexander Isak is miraculously the third most expensive footballer of all time. Only Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have gone for more money than the Swede.

Desperate to land one of the hottest strikers on the market last summer, Liverpool gave Newcastle £125 million for their prized possession, ending a ridiculously drawn-out and convoluted saga. Four goals in an injury-ridden debut campaign at Anfield don’t reflect well on the Merseysiders, although like Wirtz, the 26-year-old still has ample opportunity to prove himself.