Lionel Messi’s future in football has been thrown into uncertainty following the death of his father and long-time representative, Jorge Messi, with the Argentina captain admitting that he now has serious doubts about how much longer he can continue playing.
Key Highlights
- Messi questions his playing future: Lionel Messi has admitted that he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing football following the death of his father and long-time representative, Jorge Messi.
- Emotional tribute to his father: The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward described Jorge as his father, friend, adviser and agent, highlighting his major influence on his career.
- World Cup dream shared with Jorge: Messi said his father strongly wanted to see him play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but his health deteriorated shortly before the tournament.
- Father’s absence deeply affected him: Messi revealed that he missed receiving his father’s familiar messages after Argentina’s matches, making him realise how serious his condition had become.
- World Cup victory was personal: Messi said he wanted to win the World Cup partly so he could bring the trophy home and show it to his father.
The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward made the emotional revelation on Wednesday while paying tribute to his father, describing the loss as devastating and saying he is struggling to imagine moving forward without the man who had been beside him throughout his career.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to move forward. Football was all I did, and now I have serious doubts about whether I’ll keep playing for much longer,” Messi said.
Messi described Jorge as his father, friend, adviser and agent, crediting him with playing a central role in his development from a young footballer in Argentina into one of the most decorated players in football history.
The Inter Miami star recalled how strongly his father wanted to see him participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but said Jorge’s health deteriorated shortly before the tournament.
“You wanted me to play in the last World Cup so much, and a few days before it started was when you took a turn for the worse,” Messi wrote.
According to Messi, the family had hoped his father would recover sufficiently to travel to the tournament, but his worsening condition made that impossible.
His father’s absence became particularly painful after Argentina’s matches, when Messi found himself waiting for the messages that had become a familiar part of their relationship.
“Every time a match ended, I waited for and missed your message. That was when I realised how truly bad the situation was,” he said.
Messi also revealed that winning the World Cup was particularly meaningful because he wanted to bring the trophy home to his father.
“We made it to the final and you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it so I could bring it to you and show you a new trophy,” he wrote.
The Argentina captain further recalled the physical challenges he faced during the tournament, saying he was unable to push his body beyond its limits.
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He also remembered returning home and his father initially believing Argentina had lost the final on penalties, meaning Jorge was unable to fully enjoy the team’s achievement before his condition worsened.
Despite the loss, Messi said his father’s influence would remain an important part of his life, particularly in how he raises his children.
“I’m going to miss you so much, but you will always be present—especially in how I raise my children, because I teach and raise them just like you two did with me,” Messi said.
Jorge Messi, who died aged 68 after a prolonged illness, played a major role in his son’s remarkable career. He helped secure treatment for Lionel’s growth hormone deficiency and supported his move from Argentina to Barcelona at the age of 13.
Messi’s latest comments have now raised fresh questions about his playing future, with the football icon admitting that the death of his father has made him reconsider his commitment to a career that has defined much of his life.
He ended his emotional tribute with a final message to his father:
“Rest in peace and watch over us from above, just as you did here. Thank you for everything.
“I love you, Dad.”
