Lionel Messi has expressed uncertainty about his future in professional soccer following the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68.
In an emotional statement on Instagram, the Inter Miami forward reflected on his father's significant impact on his career and hinted at a potential retirement. "All I ever did was play football, and now I have quite few doubts as to whether I’ll carry on doing it for much longer," Messi wrote. He questioned why his father could not have held on a little longer to see their journey through together.
Messi, currently in his 23rd professional season, has not previously set a date for the end of his decorated career. He missed Inter Miami's most recent match after his father's passing, and a timeline for his return to the pitch has not been established. His contract with the MLS club extends through the 2028 season.
Jorge Messi, who served as his son's agent, moved the family to Spain when a young Lionel signed with Barcelona. In his statement, Messi acknowledged his father's constant presence at his games, noting his father's intense enjoyment and support, even without effusive praise. "You were a dad, a friend and an agent. You were always the person you needed to be at every moment, and you never got anything wrong," Messi stated.
Jorge Messi's health struggles were a significant storyline during the 2022 World Cup. The Messi family had released a statement about his condition and recovery during the tournament. Lionel Messi was visibly emotional during matches, including shedding tears mid-game after scoring twice against Algeria in the group stage. He had revealed that his father's health worsened in the days leading up to the tournament, which was the first World Cup his father missed during Messi's career.
Messi had hoped to reach the final with the expectation that his father's health might improve enough for him to travel. Argentina ultimately reached the final, with Messi scoring eight goals, but lost 1-0 to Spain. "When I got back, you thought we’d lost the final on penalties. We couldn’t talk about any of what had happened," Messi wrote of his father's inability to enjoy the tournament. "We didn’t win the title, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play."
Following the World Cup, Messi returned to Argentina to be with his family before rejoining Inter Miami. He played one game, registering a shot on goal against Columbus, before his father's death on Friday. "I’m going to miss you so much, but you’ll always be present, and above all in bringing up my children, because I’m teaching and raising them as you both did with me," Messi concluded. "Rest in peace and look after us from up there, just as you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, dad."