In a deeply moving social media post, Lionel Messi broke his silence following the passing of his father and longtime manager, Jorge Messi. Expressing profound grief and reflection, the Argentine legend shared a Heartfelt message honoring the man who stood by his side throughout his life and career, while also revealing how the sudden loss has left him questioning his future in football.
Jorge Messi passed away on August 8, 2026, at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, following a long battle with illness. beyond being a loving parent, Jorge served as Lionel’s primary adviser and strategic agent from his early days at Newell’s Old Boys to his iconic career with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and the Argentina national team.
Opening his tribute with a tender message, “Te amo, pa” (“I love you, Dad”), Messi confessed the emotional weight of accepting life without his biggest anchor. He reflected on the intense personal strain he endured during the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina reached the final. Messi revealed that despite his father’s deteriorating health, Jorge had insistently encouraged him to compete in one last World Cup.
“You kept asking me to play in one last World Cup, and days before it began was when you were at your worst,” Messi wrote, recalling how he drew motivation during the tournament from the hope that his father might recover enough to join him. “I kept telling you that we were going to reach the final so that you could travel.”
Messi detailed the silence and loneliness he felt after every match when he no longer received his father’s customary post-game text messages. He also spoke candidly about the physical and emotional toll of the tournament, explaining that while he gave everything on the pitch to bring home another trophy for his father, his body could simply yield no more.
The profound loss has left the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner contemplating his continuation on the pitch. Having spent his entire life dedicated to the sport with his father guiding every step, Messi admitted that the loss has cast severe doubt over how long he will keep playing.
“i don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” he wrote. “I don’t know how to carry on. i only played football, and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much longer.”
He concluded his message by committing to uphold his father’s legacy through his family, Promising to pass down the same values and wisdom to his own children. As tributes pour in from around the global football community, fans and teammates alike stand in solidarity with Messi as he navigates this profound period of personal grief.
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