Lionel Messi has admitted he has doubts over whether he will continue his playing career following the death of his father, Jorge, saying, “I don’t know how to carry on.”<\/p>\n
Jorge Messi, who was also his son’s long-time agent, died at the age of 68 on Saturday following a long illness.<\/p>\n
Lionel Messi travelled to Argentina for his father’s funeral and missed his side’s Leagues Cup defeat to Monterrey.<\/p>\n
![\"Messi's](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/07\/768x432\/skysports-lionel-messi-the-athletic_7302111.jpg?20260720101221\")
\n <\/div>\n Messi’s Argentina were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final in 2022
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In an emotional tribute posted on Instagram, Messi revealed the profound impact his father’s death has had on him and suggested his future in football is now uncertain.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to carry on,” Messi wrote.<\/p>\n
“I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts that I will keep doing it for much longer.<\/p>\n
“You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why didn’t you hold on just that little bit longer so we could finish together?”<\/p>\n
Jorge was a constant presence throughout Messi’s career, having helped guide his son from his childhood in Rosario to becoming one of the greatest footballers in history.<\/p>\n
Messi recalled how his father would take him to training sessions after returning home from work and attend every match he could, while also acting as his agent.<\/p>\n
![\"Messi](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/08\/768x432\/skysports-messi-jorge-messi_7319773.jpg?20260812151755\")
\n <\/div>\n Messi embraces his father after winning the World Cup in 2022
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“You were a father, a friend, and an agent,” Messi wrote.<\/p>\n
“You were always the person you needed to be at every moment and you were never wrong about anything.”<\/p>\n
Messi also revealed that his father had urged him to play at the 2026 World Cup despite his worsening health.<\/p>\n
Jorge was unable to attend the tournament, but Messi said his father repeatedly encouraged him to take part.<\/p>\n
Messi explained that his father became seriously ill just days before the World Cup began, meaning it was the first major tournament he had not been present for.<\/p>\n
![\"Messi](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/07\/768x432\/skysports-argentina-lionel-messi_7301948.jpg?20260719234254\")
\n <\/div>\n Messi and teammates react after their loss in the World Cup final
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The Argentina captain said he had hoped to reach the final so his father could travel and watch him play, but Jorge’s condition deteriorated.<\/p>\n
Messi ultimately helped Argentina reach the final, scoring the second-most goals at the tournament with eight, but they were beaten 1-0 by Spain. He described the physical toll of the tournament, admitting he “couldn’t” push his body any further during the final.<\/p>\n
“I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one,” Messi wrote.<\/p>\n
“I couldn’t, my legs couldn’t give any more. This time I tried to go against my body, but I couldn’t.”<\/p>\n
Despite the defeat, Messi said he and his father had enjoyed watching the tournament together and that playing in it was something he felt he had to do.<\/p>\n
“We didn’t become champions, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play it.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n