Lionel Messi has opened up about his uncertainty regarding the continuation of his football career after the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi.
Jorge, who was 68, passed away last week after a prolonged illness. He had been closely involved in Messi's career since he was 14, serving as his agent and steadfast supporter throughout his rise to football stardom.
In an emotional social media post, Messi wrote, "I don't know what I'm going to do without you. I don't know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I'm really not sure if I'll carry on doing it for much longer."
Messi recalled their close bond and expressed regret that his father could not endure a little longer to share in recent milestones. Jorge passed away in a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, and was laid to rest in a private funeral in Perez, near Rosario.
Reflecting on the loss, Messi said, "Dad, I still can't believe you're gone. It hasn't sunk in, or rather, I don't want it to. It's so hard for me to imagine that I'll never see you again, that we'll never talk again." He acknowledged his father's suffering but lamented the timing of his passing.
During the 2026 World Cup, Messi became visibly emotional after scoring against Algeria, a reaction later linked to his father's health struggles. Jorge had urged Messi to play in one last World Cup, but his condition worsened just before the tournament began.
Messi shared how he held onto hope for his father's recovery and imagined bringing home a trophy for him. Despite reaching the final, Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain, and Jorge was unable to attend.
Career highlights and recent events:
- Captained Argentina to 2022 World Cup victory.
- Led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final.
- Currently plays for Inter Miami.
He concluded by describing the emotional and physical toll of the tournament, saying he tried to push beyond his limits but ultimately felt unable to perform fully without his father's presence.
