Lionel Messi’s father passed away aged 68 following an illness on Saturday; Messi who led Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final, says that his father had urged him to play at the tournament despite his worsening health
Wednesday 12 August 2026 15:47, UK
Lionel Messi has admitted he has doubts over whether he will continue his playing career following the death of his father, Jorge, saying, “I don’t know how to carry on.”
Jorge Messi, who was also his son’s long-time agent, died at the age of 68 on Saturday following a long illness.
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Lionel Messi travelled to Argentina for his father’s funeral and missed his side’s Leagues Cup defeat to Monterrey.
In an emotional tribute posted on Instagram, Messi revealed the profound impact his father’s death has had on him and suggested his future in football is now uncertain.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to carry on,” Messi wrote.
“I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts that I will keep doing it for much longer.
“You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why didn’t you hold on just that little bit longer so we could finish together?”
Jorge was a constant presence throughout Messi’s career, having helped guide his son from his childhood in Rosario to becoming one of the greatest footballers in history.
Messi recalled how his father would take him to training sessions after returning home from work and attend every match he could, while also acting as his agent.
“You were a father, a friend, and an agent,” Messi wrote.
“You were always the person you needed to be at every moment and you were never wrong about anything.”
Messi also revealed that his father had urged him to play at the 2026 World Cup despite his worsening health.
Jorge was unable to attend the tournament, but Messi said his father repeatedly encouraged him to take part.
Messi explained that his father became seriously ill just days before the World Cup began, meaning it was the first major tournament he had not been present for.
The Argentina captain said he had hoped to reach the final so his father could travel and watch him play, but Jorge’s condition deteriorated.
Messi ultimately helped Argentina reach the final, scoring the second-most goals at the tournament with eight, but they were beaten 1-0 by Spain. He described the physical toll of the tournament, admitting he “couldn’t” push his body any further during the final.
“I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one,” Messi wrote.
“I couldn’t, my legs couldn’t give any more. This time I tried to go against my body, but I couldn’t.”
Despite the defeat, Messi said he and his father had enjoyed watching the tournament together and that playing in it was something he felt he had to do.
“We didn’t become champions, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match,” he said.
“Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play it.”
