Lionel Messi’s Emotional Farewell to His Father and Uncertain Football Future

The Heartbreaking News

Important Point: Lionel Messi, one of the greatest football players ever, recently lost his father, Jorge Messi. This has left him unsure if he will continue playing football.

Last week, Messi’s father Jorge passed away at age 68 after a long illness. He died in a hospital in Rosario, Argentina – the city where Lionel was born. A private funeral took place on Sunday at a cemetery in Perez, a town just outside Rosario.

A Father and Son’s Special Bond

Jorge wasn’t just Messi’s dad – he was also his agent (business manager) since Lionel was only 14 years old. That means:

• Jorge handled all of Messi’s contracts and business deals
• He watched his son grow from a young boy into an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner (the award for the world’s best player)
• They were incredibly close, working together for over 20 years

Messi’s Emotional Tribute

Messi shared a heartbreaking message on social media after his father’s death. Here are the key things he said:

"I don’t know what I’m going to do without you… 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."

Other emotional parts of his message:

• "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?"
• "It’s so hard for me to imagine that I’ll never see you again, that we’ll never talk again."
• "I know you were suffering and that this is for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much left to enjoy together."

The 2026 World Cup Journey

Messi’s last tournament with his father still alive was the 2026 World Cup. Here’s what happened:

The Tournament Performance

1. Messi captained Argentina in his sixth World Cup appearance
2. He played 8 games, scored 8 goals, and made 4 assists (helped teammates score)
3. Argentina reached the final but lost 1-0 to Spain

The Father-Son World Cup Dream

During the tournament, something very emotional happened:

• Before the World Cup: Jorge asked Messi to play in "one last World Cup"
• Just before the tournament started: Jorge’s health took a sudden turn for the worse
• During the tournament: Messi cried after scoring against Algeria – but it wasn’t about football. His family later confirmed Jorge was dealing with a "health-related situation"
• Messi’s hope: He kept telling his dad they would reach the final so Jorge could come watch
• The painful reality: After every game, Messi waited for his dad’s message – but it never came. That’s when he realized how serious it was
• The final: Argentina made it to the final, but Jorge couldn’t be there. Messi wanted to win and bring the trophy to his father, but "my legs had nothing left"

A Private Goodbye

After the World Cup ended and his father passed away:

• Messi returned home to Argentina with his family
• They held a private funeral on Sunday in Perez
• Only close family and friends attended

What Comes Next for Messi?

Right now, Messi plays for Inter Miami in the United States. But after losing his father – his lifelong partner and supporter – he has openly said he doesn’t know if he wants to keep playing football.

Important Point: This isn’t just about a player maybe retiring. It’s about a son grieving his father, best friend, and business partner of 20+ years. Football has always been "their thing" – and now that shared journey has ended.

Summary

• Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, died at 68 after a long illness
• Jorge was Messi’s agent since age 14 and his closest supporter
• Messi posted an emotional tribute saying he doesn’t know if he’ll keep playing football
• During the 2026 World Cup, Messi hoped his father would recover to watch the final
• Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain, and Jorge never got to see it
• Messi scored 8 goals in 8 games at what was his sixth World Cup
• A private funeral was held in Perez, near their hometown of Rosario
• Messi’s future in football is now uncertain as he grieves this massive loss

FAQ

Why was Messi’s father so important to his career?

Jorge Messi wasn’t just a supportive dad – he was Lionel’s agent from age 14. That means he negotiated all his contracts, managed his business affairs, and guided every major career decision for over 20 years. They were a team in every sense.

What did Messi mean when he said "we were so close to the end"?

Messi was referring to the 2026 World Cup – what they both thought would be his final tournament. His father had asked him to play "one last World Cup," and they nearly finished that journey together by reaching the final.

Why did Messi cry during the World Cup match against Algeria?

Messi scored the opening goal in a 3-0 win but was brought to tears. At the time, he said it was for reasons "completely unrelated to football." His family later confirmed his father was dealing with a serious health situation that was worsening.

Has Messi officially retired from football?

No, not officially. He currently plays for Inter Miami in the MLS. However, he explicitly said: "I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer." His grief over losing his father has made him question his future in the sport.

Where was the funeral held?

The private funeral took place on Sunday at a cemetery in Perez, a town on the outskirts of Rosario, Argentina – the city where both Messi and his father were from.