Argentine footballer Leo Messi published a tribute on Wednesday to his father, Jorge Messi, who died on Saturday, August 8, at age 68. In a post shared on social media, the international star expressed profound grief and raised the possibility of ending his playing career in the near future.
Messi wrote that he did not know what he would do without his father or how to continue. He explained that he only ever played football and now harbors significant doubts about continuing in the sport for much longer.
Reflecting on his father's support throughout his career, Messi noted that Jorge Messi had been by his side from the very beginning. He questioned why his father could not hold on just a little longer so that they could finish his career together.
Absence at the 2026 World Cup
The Argentine international lamented that his father was unable to accompany the national team at the 2026 World Cup due to a worsening medical condition. South American side Argentina reached the tournament final, where they were defeated by Spain.
Messi shared that his father had repeatedly urged him to play in what was to be his final World Cup. Shortly before the tournament began, his father's health deteriorated significantly, marking the first time he was unable to attend a major tournament.
According to Messi, his mother had assured him that his father would improve and be well enough to travel. Inspired by that hope, Messi told his father that the team would reach the final so he could make the trip.
After each match, Messi waited for and missed receiving a message from his father, which made him realize how grave the situation was. Nevertheless, he focused on pushing as far as possible in the competition to buy time for his father to watch a game.
Physical Toll and Final Conversation
Messi explained that he wanted to win the final to bring his father a new trophy, but his body could no longer cope. He stated that he attempted to push against his physical limits, but never felt good during the tournament and his legs gave out.
Upon returning home, Messi found that his father mistakenly believed Argentina had lost the final on penalties. The two were unable to discuss the events of the tournament, and his father was unable to enjoy any of it.
Despite missing out on the championship, Messi noted that they had enjoyed every game leading up to the final. He added that his father was right once again in insisting that Messi needed to attend and play in the tournament.
Father, Friend, and Agent
Describing Jorge Messi as his father, friend, and agent, Messi praised him for always being the person he needed to be. He acknowledged that despite occasional arguments or reprimands, his father was never wrong and things always unfolded as he predicted.
Messi noted that he wrote the public tribute because it was the only topic they had been unable to discuss directly. The pair normally spoke every day and met whenever Messi's professional commitments allowed.
Highlighting his father's priorities, Messi wrote that his father derived his greatest happiness from seeing his family well, including his wife and children. He added that, quietly, his father's greatest joy was watching Messi play football.
Legacy and Family
Recalling his childhood, Messi shared that his father would take him to every training session immediately after returning home from work. When his father was working, his mother would take him to training sessions instead.
Jorge Messi never missed any of his son's matches, suffering as he watched while enjoying the games, though he rarely offered compliments. Messi vowed to keep his father's memory alive by educating his own children using the same values his parents taught him.
Messi concluded his tribute by wishing his father rest in peace, asking him to watch over the family from above, thanking him for everything, and expressing his love.
