Lionel Messi has admitted he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing football following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, last week at the age of 68.
Jorge, who had been Messi’s agent since the Argentina captain was 14, played a central role throughout his son’s extraordinary career.
In an emotional tribute shared on social media, Messi revealed that his father’s death had left him questioning his future in the sport.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” Messi wrote. “I don’t know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer.”
Messi described his relationship with his father as extremely close and expressed regret that they did not have more time together.
“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone,” he added. “It’s so hard for me to imagine that I’ll never see you again, that we’ll never talk again.”
Messi’s future now uncertain
Messi, who captained Argentina at his sixth World Cup, enjoyed an outstanding tournament despite the disappointment of losing the final.
He played eight matches, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.
However, his latest comments suggest that the emotional impact of losing his father could influence his decision about how much longer he wants to continue his playing career.
For now, Messi remains an Inter Miami player, but the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s admission has introduced significant uncertainty over his future in football.
