Lionel Messi published a long and moving message following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in Rosario after a long illness. In it, the Argentine captain recounts the final weeks he spent apart from his father, reflects on the 2026 World Cup, and admits to now having serious doubts about the future of his career. At 39, the Argentine explains that he doesn't know how to continue without the man who has been by his side since his earliest days in football. Father, friend, and also Lionel Messi's representative for much of his career, Jorge Messi occupied a central place in his personal and professional life.
A World Cup experienced with his father's illness in mind
In his message, Lionel Messi recounts how he approached the last World Cup while his father's health was deteriorating. Jorge Messi had hoped to be able to attend the tournament. His son says he waited for his messages after each match and wanted to go as far as possible so he could see one more game. Argentina ultimately reached the final, which they lost to Spain. Messi reveals that he wanted to win the trophy to bring it back to his father, but his body failed him at the crucial moment. After the tournament, when he saw Jorge again, Jorge even thought Argentina had lost the final on penalties. Father and son were then unable to discuss everything that had happened during the World Cup.
"I don't know what I'm going to do without you."
Lionel Messi delivered his full tribute:
"Dad, I still can't believe you're gone. I can't grasp it, or rather, I don't want to grasp it. It's so hard for me to imagine that I'll never see you again, that we'll never talk again. I know you were suffering and that it's for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much to experience and share together."
You kept asking me to play in the last World Cup, and just a few days before it started, that's when your condition worsened the most. It was the first time you weren't going to be at a competition, but Mom kept telling me you'd get better and be fit enough to travel. I told you we'd go all the way to the final so you could come.
Every time a match ended, I waited and watched for your message. That's when I realized the situation was truly serious. Despite everything, I kept thinking about going as far as possible, to give you time and so you could watch a match.
We made it to the final, and you couldn't be there. I wanted to win it, bring it back to you, and show you the trophy again. I couldn't; my legs wouldn't cooperate. This time, I tried to push through against my body, but I couldn't. I just couldn't get comfortable.
When I arrived, you thought we'd lost the final on penalties. We didn't get to talk about everything that had happened. You didn't get to experience any of it. We didn't become champions, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every single match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play.
I'm telling you this because it's the only thing we haven't been able to talk about, because for everything else, you already know. We spoke every day and saw each other whenever my commitments allowed.
I don't know what I'm going to do without you, I don't know how to go on. I was just playing football and now I have serious doubts about whether I can continue doing it much longer.
You were by my side from the beginning, yet there was so little time left before the end. Why couldn't you hold on just a little longer so we could finish together?
I know your happiness came from seeing your family, your wife, your children, all well, and, above all, without anyone else knowing, from watching me play. Ever since I was little, it was always like that. You took me to all my practices as soon as you got home from work. Many times, it was Mom who took me because you were working. Of course, you never missed a single one of my matches. How you suffered watching me play, and how you enjoyed it, even if you never gave me many compliments.
You were my father, my friend, and my representative. You were always the person you were meant to be at every moment, and you were never wrong about anything. Beyond the occasional criticism or argument, you were always right. In the end, things always turned out exactly as you predicted.
I will miss you enormously, but you will always be present, especially in the education of my children, because I teach and educate them as you did with me.
Rest in peace and watch over us from up there, just as you did here. Thank you for everything.
I love you, Dad. ❤️
He now openly admits to having doubts about the future of his career.
Beyond the family tribute, one sentence in the message particularly resonated. Lionel Messi acknowledged for the first time so directly that his father's passing could impact the length of his career: "I don't know how to continue. I was just playing football, and now I have serious doubts about whether I can continue doing it much longer." The player, however, made no announcement of retirement and did not set a date. He expressed profound doubt in the days following the death of the man who had been by his side for virtually his entire footballing life.
Jorge Messi, father, advisor and representative of his son
Jorge Messi played a pivotal role in Lionel Messi's journey. He was there for him as a child, then during his move to Barcelona, and throughout his professional career. He also became his agent and managed a significant portion of his interests and contracts. In his final tribute, however, Messi first emphasizes the father figure, the one who drove him to training after work, attended his matches, and followed his career daily. It's a presence he now promises to pass on to his own children: "I teach and raise them the way you did for me." A few days after Jorge Messi's passing, Lionel Messi concludes his message with a few words addressed directly to his father: "Rest in peace and watch over us from up there, just as you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad."
