Argentine star Lionel Messi published an emotional social media farewell to his father, Jorge Messi, on Wednesday after his father died in the early morning of Saturday at a clinic in Rosario, Argentina. Jorge Messi, who served as manager for the Argentina number 10, was 68 years old and had been battling an illness since the World Cup, when health complications first emerged.
Cristiano Ronaldo commented on the publication to express solidarity over the loss. Ronaldo offered a huge hug to Messi and his family during these difficult moments and wished him strength.
Tribute to Jorge Messi
In his letter, Messi expressed that he still could not believe his father was gone and did not want to accept it. He shared how difficult it was to imagine never seeing or speaking to him again, acknowledging that while his father had been suffering, he had passed away too soon with much left for them to enjoy together.
Messi recalled that his father had repeatedly urged him to play in the last World Cup, even as his health worsened days before the tournament began. It marked the first time his father could not attend a tournament, though his mother reassured Messi that his father would improve and travel. Messi told his father they would reach the final so he could make the trip.
World Cup Final and Missed Messages
After every match, Messi waited for and missed messages from his father, which made him realize the severity of the illness. He continued pushing to reach the final to give his father time to watch a game in person. Although Argentina reached the final, his father could not attend, and Messi was unable to win the title for him as his legs could no longer take the physical strain.
When Messi returned home, his father believed they had lost the final on penalties, and they were unable to talk about what had happened. Messi noted that while they were not champions, his father did not know how much they enjoyed every match, proving his father right that Messi needed to be there and play. Messi noted this was the only topic they never discussed, as they spoke daily and saw each other whenever possible around his commitments.
Uncertainty Over Football Career
Messi admitted to deep doubts about his future, questioning how he would continue without his father by his side. He reflected that he had only ever played football and expressed uncertainty about how much longer he would keep playing, asking why his father could not hold on just a little longer so they could finish together.
He wrote that his father's greatest happiness was seeing his family well and watching Messi play. From Messi's childhood, his father took him to every training session after work, while his mother stepped in when his father was working. His father attended every match, suffering and enjoying the games without offering excessive praise.
Legacy as Agent, Friend, and Father
Messi described his father as a parent, friend, and agent who was always what he needed to be and never made a mistake. He wrote that despite occasional arguments or demands, his father was always right in the end.
Concluding his message, Messi promised that his father would remain present in the education of his grandchildren, whom Messi is raising just as his parents raised him. He thanked his father for everything, expressed his love, and asked him to rest in peace and watch over the family from above.
