MIAMI, Fla. — Lionel Messi has cast doubt on his football future following the death of his father and longtime adviser, Jorge Messi, admitting that he is unsure how much longer he can continue playing.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward shared an emotional tribute to his father on Wednesday, August 12, describing the pain of losing the man who had been beside him throughout his football career.
Jorge Messi died aged 68 in Rosario, Argentina, on August 8 following a long illness. He had played a central role in his son’s career, serving as Messi’s representative and adviser from his early years in professional football.
In his first major public statement since his father’s death, Messi acknowledged that the loss had made him question his future in the sport.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to carry on.”
He added:
“I only played football, and now I have quite a few doubts that I’ll keep doing it for much longer.”
The comments have immediately triggered speculation that the Argentine superstar could be approaching the end of his legendary playing career. However, Messi has not announced his retirement.
In his tribute, Messi revealed that Jorge had repeatedly encouraged him to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His father’s health deteriorated shortly before the tournament, meaning Jorge could not attend the competition as he had hoped. Messi said he continued pushing through the tournament partly because he wanted to give his father the opportunity to watch Argentina play.
He recalled telling his father that Argentina would reach the final so that he could travel and watch them. That hope ultimately did not materialise.
Argentina reached the World Cup final but lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. Messi said the emotional circumstances surrounding the tournament made the experience particularly difficult.
According to his tribute, he would finish matches looking for the message from his father that normally followed his performances.
“Every time a match ended, I waited for and missed your message.”
He said that was when he understood how serious his father’s condition had become.
The Argentine also reflected on his physical condition during the World Cup. Despite the emotional strain surrounding his father’s illness, Messi continued competing for Argentina and helped the team reach the final.
He later acknowledged that his body was struggling during the tournament. Messi described the final as particularly painful because he had hoped to win the trophy and take it home to his father.
Jorge was not simply Messi’s father. He was also the person who managed much of his professional career. He helped guide Messi from his early years in Rosario through his move to Barcelona as a teenager and later served as his representative during his career at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Messi’s comments have naturally raised questions about whether he could retire from professional football sooner than expected. The Argentine remains contracted to Inter Miami.
Tributes and messages of support have poured in from across the football world following Jorge Messi’s death and Lionel’s emotional statement.
Among those offering support was Messi’s longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who publicly sent a message of comfort to the Argentine superstar. Inter Miami figures have also expressed their support for Messi as he deals with the loss.
Messi has already achieved virtually every major honour available to him.
He has won the FIFA World Cup, Copa América, multiple Champions League titles and numerous Ballon d’Or awards, establishing himself as one of football’s greatest players.
