Lionel Messi has revealed his pain at failing to deliver a second World Cup trophy for his Dad, Jorge, who passed away last week and admitted he is not sure how long he will continue playing.
Messi’s Argentina reached the final in New Jersey last month but were unable to hold off Spain, who won 1-0 thanks to Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike.
Jorge, who was also Messi’s long-time agent, missed the tournament after his condition deteriorated following a prolonged illness. He subsequently died aged 68 in his hometown of Rosario, on Friday.
Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram: “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.
“I don’t know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on 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?”
Messi reveals Dad persuaded him to go to the World Cup
Messi gave serious consideration to not playing at the World Cup but revealed Jorge had persuaded him to give it one last shot.
Messi wrote: “Dad, you kept asking me to play in one last World Cup… just days before it began was when your condition got worse.
“It was the first time you weren’t going to be there with me at tournament… but Mom kept telling me you were going to get better and that you’d be well enough to travel.
“I kept telling you we were going to reach the World Cup final so you could make the trip, this was my mission once again.
“After every match, I waited for and missed your message. That’s when I realised how serious the situation really was.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about going as far as possible, give you more time and the chance to watch one of the games.”
Messi struggled to make an impact in the final
It was an exhausting tournament for the former Barcelona and PSG star, who captained his country to extra-time wins over Cape Verde and Switzerland before a mentally draining semi-final victory over old foes England.
And Messi conceded had nothing left to give against Spain.
He added: “We reached the final, but you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you another one. I couldn’t.
“My legs just couldn’t give me any more. This time I tried to push beyond what my body could handle, but I couldn’t.
“I never managed to feel physically right.
“We didn’t become champions Dad, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play in it… as you told me, always.”
Messi legacy lives on
Jorge was survived by his wife, Celia, and their four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and María Sol.
Messi’s boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, led the tributes.
“Newell’s Old Boys mourn with profound pain and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi,” the club said.
“He was a renowned Newell’s supporter, businessman and the father of the captain of the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi.
“Jorge was the support and the person who, together with his wife, Celia, strengthened the career of the greatest player of all time with vision, rigour and affection.
“His constant support and behind-the-scenes leadership were fundamental in supporting every step of Lionel’s journey.”
Jorge worked in a steel factory in Rosario before moving to Europe when Messi joined Barcelona’s academy in 2000.
He went on to oversee his son’s career as his agent, guiding moves from Barcelona to PSG and later Inter Miami, while helping manage one of the most successful careers in football history.
Messi is currently taking time out from football and will only be considered for Miami duty when he feels ready to return to Florida. He has two years left on the three-year deal he signed in 2025.
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