Following the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, at age 68, Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has expressed uncertainty regarding his professional future. In a social media post, the 39-year-old athlete confessed to having significant doubts about remaining on the pitch for much longer. Jorge Messi, who played a central role in his son’s career and personal life, passed away last week.
Lionel Messi, currently signed with Inter Miami through 2028, shared his grief over his father’s absence during the recent 2026 World Cup. Messi revealed that he had promised his father they would reach the tournament final together, yet after losing 1-0 to Spain in New Jersey, he struggled with both physical exhaustion and emotional distress. He noted that he felt unable to perform at his best during the competition.
During the tournament, the star had previously alluded to personal struggles after becoming emotional following a goal against Algeria. While the family has not officially confirmed the cause of death, reports indicate Jorge Messi had been battling cancer. Messi held a private funeral for his father on Sunday in the town of Perez, near Rosario, attended by family and several national teammates.
