Lionel Messi has opened up about the profound uncertainty he feels regarding the continuation of his playing career after the recent passing of his father, Jorge Messi. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the Argentine legend expressed that he is unsure how to move forward without his father's guidance, writing, "I don't know how to carry on." Jorge Messi, who also served as his son's long‑time agent, died at the age of 68 on Saturday after a prolonged illness. The loss has hit Messi not only as a son but also as a professional who relied on his father's counsel for decades. After the funeral in Argentina, Messi missed Inter Miami's Leagues Cup loss to Monterrey, underscoring how the grief has already begun to affect his on‑field commitments.
In the Instagram tribute, Messi described the deep emotional impact of his father's death and hinted that his future in football may now be in question. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you, I don't know how to carry on," he wrote.
"I have only ever known football, and now I have a lot of doubts about playing any longer." He went on to recall the closeness they shared: "You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why didn't you hold on just a little longer so we could finish together?" Jorge Messi was more than just a parent; he was a constant presence throughout Lionel's meteoric rise. From the modest streets of Rosario to the grand stages of world football, Jorge was the man who shuttled his son to training after a long day at work, attended almost every match, and eventually took on the role of his agent. "You were a father, a friend, and an agent," Lionel wrote, emphasizing that his dad had always been the right person at the right moment and never made a misstep in his guidance.
The tribute also revealed a poignant detail about the 2026 World Cup. Despite his deteriorating health, Jorge had repeatedly urged Messi to participate in the tournament, hoping to share the experience with his son. Unfortunately, Jorge fell seriously ill just days before the competition began, making it the first major tournament he could not attend. Messi explained that he had dreamed of reaching the final so his father could travel to see him play, but his father's condition worsened, preventing that wish from becoming reality.
Messi ultimately helped Argentina advance to the final of the 2026 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's second‑leading scorer with eight goals. However, the final ended in a 1‑0 loss to Spain, a result that left Messi physically exhausted.
He admitted that his body could not push any further during the decisive match, saying, "I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one. I couldn't, my legs couldn't give any more. This time I tried to go against my body, but I couldn't." Even in defeat, Messi reflected on the joy he and his father derived from watching the tournament together, describing the experience as something he felt compelled to do. "We didn't become champions, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match," he said, adding, "Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play it." The emotional weight of losing a parent who was also a lifelong mentor cannot be overstated.
Messi's career has always been intertwined with his father's influence—from the early days of playing barefoot in Rosario to negotiating multimillion‑dollar contracts and navigating the pressures of global stardom. Jorge's death forces Lionel to confront a future where he must make decisions without his most trusted confidant. Fans and fellow players have responded with an outpouring of support, recognizing that Messi's grief is compounded by the loss of a partner who shaped his identity both on and off the pitch. Many have expressed hope that Messi will find a path forward that honors his father's memory, whether that means continuing to chase titles or stepping back to cherish the personal moments that football has afforded him.
As Messi grapples with these thoughts, the broader football community watches closely. The question of whether he will retire soon, or perhaps take a brief hiatus to process his loss, remains open. What is clear is that Jorge Messi's legacy will continue to echo through his son's words, actions, and the countless memories they shared on the world stage.