3 weeks ago
Lionel Messi Mourns Father Jorge, Casts Doubt on Football Future
Lionel Messi is a very famous soccer player from Argentina.
His dad, Jorge Messi, passed away after being sick for a long time.
Jorge was 68 years old and died in a clinic in the city of Rosario in Argentina.
A few days later, Messi wrote a very sad letter about his dad and shared it on Instagram.
He said his dad was his father, his friend, and his helper, and that his dad was with him from the very start of his soccer career.
Jorge always asked Messi to play in one more World Cup, and his health got worse just before the 2026 World Cup started.
Messi's team reached the World Cup final, but they did not win, and Jorge was too sick to be there.
Now Messi is very sad and not sure if he wants to keep playing soccer.
He thanked everyone for their kind messages and said he will raise his own children the way his parents raised him.
Lionel Messi posted an emotional Instagram tribute to his late father Jorge Messi in his first public message since the death.
Jorge Messi died on Friday night, reported as 8 August 2026, aged 68, at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, after a long illness.
Messi said he does not know how to carry on and has serious doubts about whether he will keep playing football for much longer.
Jorge repeatedly asked Messi to play one last World Cup; his condition worsened days before the 2026 tournament, and Argentina reached the final but fell short.
Describing Jorge as his father, friend and agent, Messi thanked supporters for their respect and promised to raise his children the way his parents raised him.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, Argentina captain and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, mourning his late father Jorge Messi.
- What
- Messi published an emotional open letter on Instagram paying tribute to his father and casting doubt on whether he will continue his football career.
- Where
- Jorge Messi died at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina; the tribute was shared on Instagram.
- When
- Jorge Messi died on Friday night, reported as 8 August 2026; Messi's tribute was posted on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
- Why
- Jorge died after a long illness, and Messi said he struggles to accept losing the man who was his father, friend and agent throughout his career.
Key facts
- Deceased
- Jorge Messi
- Age at death
- 68
- Date of death
- Friday night, reported as 8 August 2026
- Place of death
- Medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina
- Cause of death
- Long illness
- Relationship to Lionel
- Father, friend and agent
- Tribute
- Emotional Instagram post on 12 August 2026, his first public message since the death
- World Cup 2026 outcome
- Argentina reached the final but fell short; Jorge was unable to attend
Quotes
Lionel Messi
Argentine football star and captain
“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.”
freepressjournal.in
wionews.com
livemint.com
“I want to sincerely thank everyone for all the love, respect and enormous consideration you have shown me and my family during this incredibly painful time following the loss of my dad.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Lionel Messi Hints At Retirement In Emotional Tribute To Father Jorge Messi: 'I Don't Know What I'm Going To Do Without You'
Lionel Messi's heartbreaking letter to father Jorge: 'I don’t know how to carry on'
Lionel Messi to retire? Argentina footballer doesn't 'know how to move forward' after death of his father








