Lionel Messi has admitted he is unsure whether he will continue playing football for much longer following the death of his father and long-time adviser, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68.
The Argentina captain shared an emotional tribute to his father on Wednesday, describing the loss as difficult to accept and revealing how deeply Jorge’s declining health affected him during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi recalled that his father had desperately wanted to see him play at the tournament. However, Jorge’s condition worsened shortly before the competition began, leaving Messi hoping Argentina could progress far enough for his father to watch one of their matches.
The Inter Miami forward said his father’s absence became particularly painful after Argentina’s games, when he would instinctively expect a message from him. Messi also revealed that he had hoped to win the World Cup so he could return home with another trophy to show his father.
Argentina eventually reached the final, but Messi said his physical condition prevented him from producing his best performance. He recalled that his father initially believed Argentina had lost the final on penalties and said they were unable to properly discuss the tournament before Jorge’s death.
The loss has now left Messi questioning what comes next in his football career. The 38-year-old said football had been his entire life and admitted he had “serious doubts” about continuing for much longer without the man who had been beside him from the beginning.
Jorge was far more than Messi’s father. He was also his agent and played a major role in the early stages of his career, including helping secure treatment for his growth hormone deficiency and facilitating his move from Argentina to Barcelona when Messi was 13.
Messi said his father’s influence would continue through the way he raises his own children, before ending his tribute with a message of gratitude and love. Jorge’s death followed a prolonged illness during which his family had said he was receiving medical care.
