Lionel Messi opens up about potential retirement after tragic loss of his father

Lionel Messi has confessed that he’s unsure of his football future after the death of his dad.

Jorge Messi passed away last week at the age of 68, inside a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, following a long battle with illness.

Lionel Messi has ‘doubts’ about his future

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Blessed with unrivalled dribbling skills and a sensational footballing IQ, the Argentine has achieved incredible things.

And his father played a huge role in his success. In addition to supporting his son through thick and thin, he also served as his representative.

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Therefore, with his dad having now passed, Messi is considering what the future holds.

In a touching tribute on Instagram, he wrote: “I don’t know what I’m going to ⁠do without you. I ⁠don’t know how ​to move forward. I only played football, and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much ⁠longer.

“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 so we could finish it together?”

Lionel Messi played at the FIFA World Cup 2026 for his dad

Throughout the summer, Messi reminded the world of just how good he truly is.

In front of fans around the globe, the superstar dazzled, utilising his remarkable skills to score 8 goals and guide Argentina all the way to the final.

And according to the man himself, it was his father’s wish for him to play in the competition.

The legend explained: “You always asked me to play in the last World Cup, and a few days before it started was when you got worse. It was the first time you weren’t going to be at a tournament … Every time a match ended, I would ‌wait and hope for your message. That’s when I realised how real the situation was.”

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