Lionel Messi has questioned whether he will continue his professional soccer career following the death of his father Jorge, who passed away at age 68 after a prolonged health battle. The Inter Miami forward shared an emotional message on social media days after his father’s passing, expressing uncertainty about his future in the sport.
In his tribute, Messi reflected on Jorge’s lifelong presence in his career, from his early years at Barcelona through his entire professional journey. Jorge served as both his father and agent, providing unwavering support throughout Messi’s rise to becoming one of soccer’s greatest players. Messi acknowledged the difficulty of imagining life and his career without his father’s guidance and companionship.
The Argentine star revealed that Jorge had strongly encouraged him to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite his deteriorating health. Though Messi led Argentina to the final match against Spain, his father’s condition prevented him from attending. Messi expressed deep regret that he could not win the tournament to present his father with another trophy, noting that his physical capabilities failed him when he needed them most during the competition.
Returning home after Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain, Messi found himself unable to share details of his World Cup experience with his father. The star’s poignant message suggests he is grappling with grief and reconsidering his commitment to professional soccer without his father’s lifelong support and presence.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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