Lionel Messi’s emotional tribute to his late father reveals his doubts about his future on the pitch
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Lionel Messi’s Emotional Tribute Reveals Career Doubts After Father’s Death
Healfromzero.com – The football world mourned a profound loss as Lionel Messi s emotional tribute to his late father Jorge Messi revealed unexpected vulnerability about his future. The Argentine legend shared a deeply personal letter following Jorge’s passing at age 68 at Sanatorio Centro hospital in Rosario, Argentina. This heartfelt message captured not only grief but also uncertainty about whether the 39-year-old will continue playing professional football.
World Cup Heartbreak and Personal Loss
Messi’s letter provided intimate details about navigating the 2026 World Cup while his father battled illness back home. Jorge Messi had been facing serious health challenges and was unable to travel to the United States for the tournament. Despite this separation, the Argentine captain carried his father’s spirit throughout the competition.
“You kept asking me to play in the last World Cup and just days before it started was when you got worse. It was the first time you weren’t going to be at a tournament, but mom told me you were going to get better and that you’d be well enough to travel. I told you we’d make it to the final so you could come,” Messi recalled.
The Inter Miami forward described waiting for messages from his father after every match, only to realize the severity of Jorge’s condition when those messages became less frequent. Even as his health declined, Jorge Messi remained focused on watching his son compete, wanting to see him reach as far as possible in the tournament.
Unfortunately, the dream of a final appearance eluded them. Spain defeated Argentina in the championship match, securing their second World Cup title. Messi reflected on that moment with characteristic honesty about his physical limitations.
“I wanted to win it to bring (the trophy) to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs couldn’t go any further. This time I tried to go against my body, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel well,” he wrote.
Questioning His Football Future
Perhaps most significantly, Lionel Messi s emotional tribute opened up about questions he has been asking himself regarding his professional future. At 39, the Argentine has already achieved nearly everything possible in football, yet he admitted that his father’s absence has left him reconsidering his path forward.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to go on. I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer,” Messi confessed.
He continued by reflecting on how his father had been present from the very beginning of his journey, expressing regret that Jorge couldn’t stay longer to witness what might have been the final chapters of his son’s playing career.
“You were by my side from the beginning, there was so little left until the end. Why couldn’t you hold on just a little longer and we could have finished together?”
A Father, Friend, and Agent
Messi’s tribute painted a vivid picture of the multifaceted relationship he shared with Jorge Messi. The elder Messi attended nearly every training session after completing his workday, watching his son’s development with equal parts suffering and joy. Despite rarely offering verbal praise, Jorge Messi’s presence spoke volumes.
“You were a father, friend, and agent. You were always the person you needed to be at every moment and you never made a mistake. Beyond a few reproaches or arguments, you were always right. In the end, things always turned out the way you said,” Messi remembered.
The Argentine also highlighted how his father’s influence would continue through his own children, noting that he raises them according to the principles Jorge instilled in him.
“I’m going to miss you a lot, but you’ll always be present, and especially in the way I raise my children because I teach and raise them as you did with me.”
Global Tributes Pour In
The sporting community rallied around Messi during this difficult time. Fellow football icons including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Luka Modrić, along with tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, all left messages of support on Messi’s Instagram post. Ronaldo, who shared a long-standing rivalry with Messi on the pitch, wrote: “My thoughts are with you and your family.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Jorge Messi pass away?
Jorge Messi passed away on Saturday at the age of 68 at Sanatorio Centro hospital in Rosario, Argentina, where he had been receiving treatment for a serious illness.
How old is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi is 39 years old as of the 2026 World Cup.
What did Messi say about his future in football?
In Lionel Messi s emotional tribute, the Argentine star admitted he has doubts about continuing his playing career, stating: “I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer.”
Did Messi win the 2026 World Cup?
No, Spain defeated Argentina in the championship match, securing their second World Cup title.
Who are some of the athletes who paid tribute to Messi?
Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Luka Modrić, and Carlos Alcaraz all left messages of support on Messi’s Instagram post following his father’s passing.