In an emotional tribute to his late father, Lionel Messi has opened up about his uncertainty over continuing his football career, saying he does not know how to move forward without his father by his side.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Messi spoke about the immense difficulty of accepting his father’s death and the void left behind by his absence.
Messi’s father, Jorge, died on August 7 following a prolonged illness. He had served as his son’s agent and played a crucial role in shaping his career from its earliest days in Rosario. Jorge managed Messi’s career, acted as his adviser and remained closely involved throughout his son’s journey to becoming one of football’s greatest players.
While the football world mourned Jorge’s death, Messi remained away from the public eye and travelled to his hometown of Rosario to attend his father’s funeral.
During the tournament, the Argentina captain also experienced an emotional moment despite making an impressive start. He scored three goals in the opening match against Algeria, but became tearful during the celebrations after scoring his first goal.
Messi later explained that his reaction was unrelated to the match and came amid “a few difficult, complicated days” in the lead-up to the game.
In his lengthy Instagram message, Messi revealed that his father had encouraged him to participate in this year’s World Cup. The Argentine star helped his team reach the final, contributing eight goals and four assists during the tournament.
Messi said he had wanted to win the World Cup and dedicate the victory to his father, but admitted that he was unable to physically push himself through the final stages and had struggled throughout.
The Argentina captain said he was unsure about how he would continue without his father, who had been beside him since the beginning of his career. He also recalled how Jorge would suffer while watching him play but still enjoyed seeing his son on the pitch, despite rarely showering him with praise.
Messi has now taken an indefinite break from football after being granted leave by Inter Miami. His emotional tribute touched several figures across the football world, with Cristiano Ronaldo also offering his support to the Argentine star in the comments section.
LIONEL MESSI'S LETTER TO HIS FATHER
Messi began his tribute by expressing his disbelief over his father’s death and the difficulty of accepting that they would never speak or meet again.
He recalled how Jorge had repeatedly encouraged him to play in one final World Cup. Messi said his father’s health had deteriorated shortly before the tournament, marking the first time Jorge would not be present at one of his major competitions.
Messi remembered being told that his father might recover enough to travel and said he had promised him that Argentina would reach the final so that he could be there.
After every match, Messi said he would wait for a message from his father and miss hearing from him. That was when he realised how serious his condition had become.
Despite the circumstances, Messi said he continued to focus on taking Argentina as far as possible so that his father could have the opportunity to watch him play.
Argentina eventually reached the final, but Jorge could not attend. Messi said he had wanted to win the trophy and take it to his father, but his body could not carry him any further.
He recalled that when he returned, his father initially believed Argentina had lost the final on penalties. Because of his condition, they could not discuss everything that had happened or properly celebrate the tournament.
Messi said that although Argentina did not become champions, the family had still enjoyed every match and that his father had once again been right about his decision to play.
The footballer then reflected on how closely he and his father had remained throughout his life, saying they spoke every day and met whenever his professional commitments allowed.
Messi admitted that he did not know what he would do without his father or how he would continue. He said football had been the only thing he had done and that he now had doubts about whether he would continue playing for much longer.
He questioned why his father could not have held on a little longer so they could finish their journey together.
Messi also recalled that what made Jorge happiest was spending time with his family and, above all, quietly watching his son play football.
He remembered how his father would take him to training sessions after returning from work, while his mother also accompanied him when Jorge was unable to do so.
Messi said Jorge never missed a match. He would suffer while watching his son play and enjoy the experience as well, even though he rarely offered him compliments.
The Argentina captain described his father as his dad, friend and representative, saying Jorge always knew how to fulfil whatever role was needed and was rarely wrong in his judgment.
Messi said he would miss his father enormously but that Jorge would remain present in his life, particularly in the way he raises his own children, following the values and upbringing he received from his parents.
He ended the tribute by asking his father to rest in peace and watch over the family from above, thanking him for everything and saying, “I love you, Dad.”
