Lionel Messi has revealed that he is uncertain about continuing his football career for much longer following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68.
The Argentina captain opened up about his grief in an emotional message shared on Instagram on Wednesday, saying the loss has left him questioning what comes next in his career.
“All I ever did was play football, and now I have serious doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer,” Messi wrote.
The 39-year-old forward also expressed how difficult it has been to imagine life without his father, who played a major role in both his personal life and football career.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to carry on,” he said.
Messi’s Father Wanted to See Another World Cup
Jorge Messi was not only Lionel’s father but also served as his agent and was closely involved in his development from a young age.
Messi revealed that his father had hoped to watch him compete at another World Cup and that he had repeatedly promised him they would make it to the final.
Argentina eventually reached the 2026 World Cup final, but lost 1-0 to Spain.
“I kept telling you we would reach the final so you could make the trip,” Messi said.
He added that he had hoped to win the tournament for his father but struggled physically during the final.
“I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs just gave out,” Messi wrote.
Messi said his father’s health had deteriorated shortly before the tournament and that his absence became increasingly difficult for him to process.
A Father, Friend and Agent
Paying tribute to Jorge, Messi described him as a father, friend and agent who had always been there for him.
“You were a father, a friend, and an agent. You were always exactly who you needed to be in every moment,” Messi said.
Jorge had accompanied Messi to Barcelona when he was just 13 years old after the youngster moved to Spain for treatment for a growth hormone deficiency.
Messi later became one of the most decorated footballers in history, winning eight Ballon d’Or awards and leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022.
Messi Says His Father’s Legacy Will Live On
Messi attended his father’s private funeral on Sunday in Perez, near Rosario, before returning to the United States on Tuesday.
The cause of Jorge Messi’s death was not officially disclosed, although local reports said he had been battling cancer.
Despite his grief, Messi said he intends to keep his father’s memory alive by passing on the values he learned from him to his own children.
“I’m going to miss you so much, but you will always be present, especially in the upbringing of my children,” Messi said.
Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season, but his latest comments have inevitably raised fresh questions about whether he will continue playing until then.
For now, the football world is watching as one of its greatest stars comes to terms with a deeply personal loss.
Source: Instagram / AFP
