Lionel Messi mourns father’s death and questions soccer future
Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi shared an emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, and expressed doubts about continuing his soccer career after his father’s passing.
MIAMI —
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Following the death of his father, Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi stated he was unsure about his future playing soccer.
Messi, 39, posted about his feelings on his Facebook account on Wednesday, Aug. 12, following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68 in Argentina following an unspecified illness.
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – DECEMBER 18: Jorge Messi, father and agent of Lionel Messi – holding his son’s trophy of ’Best player of the World Cup – following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Jorge’s health was discussed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Lionel played for Argentina.
A man takes a picture of a funeral wreath for the Messi family of El Prado cemetery on the outskirts of Rosario, Santa Fe province, Argentina, on August 9, 2026, where the funeral of Argentina’s football star Lionel Messi’s father will take place. Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s childhood club Newell’s Old Boys announced on August 8, 2026. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP via Getty Images)
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to go on. I just played soccer and now I have a lot of doubts that I’ll keep doing it for a long time more. You were by my side from the beginning, so close to the end. Why didn’t you hold on a little longer and we could have finished together?” Lionel Messi said, in part, in a statement made in Spanish but translated into English.
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The Associated Press reported Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup home match on Saturday, Aug. 8, against Monterrey to return to Argentina.
Inter Miami players observe a minute of silence in honor of Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Argentine football star Lionel Messi, ahead of the Leagues Cup 2026 group-stage football match between Inter Miami CF and Monterrey at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, on August 8, 2026. Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68 in Rosario, Argentina, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s childhood club Newell’s Old Boys announced on August 8. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images)
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Before the match against Monterrey, a moment of silence was held for Jorge Messi.
Inter Miami fans hold a sign with a message for Argentine forward Lionel Messi ahead of the Leagues Cup 2026 group-stage football match between Inter Miami CF and Monterrey at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, on August 8, 2026. Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68 in Rosario, Argentina, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s childhood club Newell’s Old Boys announced on August 8. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi made his return to soccer on Wednesday night as a second-half substitute in Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Club León at Nu Stadium in Miami.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 12: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts during the Leagues Cup Phase One match between Inter Miami CF and Leon at Nu Stadium on August 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs – Leagues Cup/MLS via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 12: Leo Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls a ball during a Leagues Cup soccer match between Inter Miami CF and Leon at NU Stadium on August 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Lionel noted in the letter that his father was his friend and business representative.
“I will miss you a lot, but you will always be present, and especially in the education of my children, because I teach and educate them as you did with me,” Lionel stated. “Rest in peace and take care of us from above as you did here. Thank you for everything.”
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