Messi unsure he will play ‘much longer’ after father’s death

Messi Questions His Future Following Father Jorge’s Passing

Constantvpn.com – Lionel Messi has cast doubt on how much longer he will remain on the football pitch, sharing a deeply personal message following the death of his father Jorge. The Argentine superstar, who recently led his national team to the 2026 World Cup final, revealed that the loss of his father and longtime agent has left him questioning his next steps in the sport he has dominated for over two decades.

Jorge Messi passed away at the age of 68 after battling a prolonged illness. The death occurred in a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, the city where the football legend was born and raised. A private funeral service was held on Sunday at a cemetery in the nearby town of Perez, allowing family and close friends to pay their respects away from the public eye.

A Father, Agent, and Mentor

Jorge’s role in Messi’s life extended far beyond that of a parent. He became his son’s agent when Lionel was just 14 years old, guiding him through the complexities of professional football from his earliest days as a prodigy. Under Jorge’s stewardship, Messi grew into one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen, accumulating eight Ballon d’Or awards throughout his illustrious career.

In his social media tribute, Messi expressed the depth of his grief and uncertainty about what lies ahead.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” Messi wrote. “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.”

The emotional message continued as Messi reflected on their bond and the timing of Jorge’s passing.

“You were by my side from the very beginning. We were so close to the end. Why didn’t you hang in there just a little longer so we could finish this together?”

The 2026 World Cup and a Father’s Wish

The timing of Jorge’s death carried particular significance for Messi. The Argentine captain had just completed his sixth World Cup appearance, playing eight matches and scoring eight goals while providing four assists. Despite Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final, Messi had been driven by a desire to win one more tournament for his father.

Jorge had been urging Messi to participate in one final World Cup campaign. Just days before the tournament began, his health deteriorated significantly. His mother remained optimistic, telling Messi that Jorge would recover enough to travel and watch the matches.

“Every time a game ended, I’d wait for and miss your message. That’s when I realised how bad the situation was,” Messi shared. “Even so, I couldn’t stop thinking about going as far as possible, to give you time to watch a game. We made it to the final, and you couldn’t be there.”

Messi described how he had pushed beyond his physical limits during the tournament, hoping to secure victory so he could present the trophy to his father. But despite his efforts, he could not find the strength he needed.

“I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs had nothing left. This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel right.”

Memories and Moving Forward

Messi also recalled a moment from the 2022 World Cup when he was moved to tears after scoring against Algeria. At that time, he mentioned that his emotions were connected to something “completely unrelated to football.” His family later confirmed that Jorge was dealing with a health-related situation during that tournament as well.

In his tribute, Messi acknowledged his father’s quiet support and wisdom throughout his life and career.

“Of course, you never missed a single game,” said Messi. “How you suffered watching me play and how much you enjoyed it, even though you never gave me much praise. You were my dad, my friend and my mentor.”

Messi emphasized that despite occasional disagreements, his father was always right. He also spoke about the legacy Jorge would leave behind, particularly in raising Messi’s own children.

“I’m going to miss you so much, but you’ll always be with me, especially in raising my children, because I teach and raise them just as you both did with me. Rest in peace, and watch over us from above just as you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad.”

Messages of Support from Football Icons

The football world quickly rallied around Messi during this difficult time. Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese forward, sent a heartfelt message to his fellow Argentine.

“A huge hug to you and yours in these hard times, Leo. Much strength,” Ronaldo wrote.

David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami where Messi currently plays, also extended his condolences. “We are with you and your family, Leo, always,” Beckham said.

Messi returned to his family in Argentina following Jorge’s passing before preparing to resume his club career with Inter Miami. The loss of his father comes at a pivotal moment in Messi’s career, as he considers whether to continue competing at the highest level or begin transitioning toward retirement.

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