Lionel Messi has shared his thoughts following the death of his father, Jorge, who passed away last week at the age of 68 after battling a long illness.
In a lengthy post on Instagram, Messi spoke about the profound impact Jorge had on his soccer career, touching on his experiences during the World Cup, and even alluding to a potential retirement from the sport. “So far, all I have done is play football, and now it’s hard to say how much longer I’ll keep going,” Messi expressed. “You were there at the start. We were close to the end. Why couldn’t you hold on a bit longer so we could finish this journey together?”
The young Messi, who is now in his 23rd professional season, has kept quiet about when he might choose to retire from one of soccer’s most illustrious careers.
Currently, he has missed Inter Miami’s last match due to Jorge’s passing, and it’s uncertain when he will be back on the field. His contract with the Florida club lasts until the 2028 season.
Before his passing, Jorge not only served as Messi’s father but also as his agent, relocating the family to Spain after Messi signed with Barcelona at just 13 years old.
“Of course, I never missed a match,” Messi recalled. “You would suffer watching me play, and yet you would also find joy in it, even if you never praised me out loud.”
“You were not just a father; you were a friend, an agent, and always the one I needed at any moment. You were never wrong. Despite our occasional disagreements, things turned out just as you predicted,” he reflected.
Jorge’s health issues were a point of concern during the World Cup, prompting Messi’s family to address his condition publicly.
Messi was seen emotional during a match where he scored against Algeria in the group stage.
In his statement, he revealed that Jorge’s health had declined in the days leading up to the tournament, leading Messi to miss it for the first time in his career.
He had hoped to reach the final, believing Jorge might be well enough to make the trip to the U.S., but although Argentina made it to the final, losing 1-0 to Spain, Messi had a strong tournament with eight goals.
“When we returned, it felt as if we had lost on penalties in the final. We couldn’t really talk about it,” he mentioned. “I didn’t enjoy it. We came up short, but you have no idea how much happiness we found in every game. Once again, you were right. I had to be there and play.”
After the tournament, Messi returned to Argentina, looking to spend time with his family before heading back to Miami. He had played one game against Columbus, registering a shot on goal, just prior to Jorge’s death.
“I’ll miss you dearly, but you’ll always be with me, especially in raising my kids. I’m teaching them just as you taught me,” he wrote.
“Rest in peace, and guide us from above, just like you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad.”
