Lionel Messi sent shockwaves through the entire soccer world this week. The Inter Miami icon posted a raw, heartfelt tribute to his late father, Jorge, on social media Wednesday, hinting he might just be stepping away from the game. Jorge passed away last week at 68, after battling an undisclosed “health situation” for an extended period. This is a punch to the gut for anyone who follows the beautiful game.
The Heartbreak of a Son’s Tribute
Messi’s words, penned in Spanish and shared across social platforms, paint a picture of immense grief and uncertainty. He admitted he was unsure “how to keep going” in his career, a stunning revelation coming from a player of his caliber. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to keep going,” Messi wrote. “I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts that I will continue to do so for a long time to come.” He reflected on their bond, with Jorge by his side from the very beginning, acting as both father and agent, playing a crucial role in his progression through the FC Barcelona academy. “You were by my side from the beginning, we were so close to the end. Why didn’t you hold on for that little longer and we could finish together?” The pain is palpable. “Pa, I still can’t believe you’re gone. I don’t fall, or rather, I don’t want to fall. It’s very difficult for me to imagine that I’m not going to see you anymore, that we’re not going to talk anymore. I know you were hurting and it’s for the best, but you left too soon. We still had a lot to enjoy together.”
The Unbearable Weight of the World Cup Final
The tribute also shed light on the incredible personal battle Messi fought during the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His father had repeatedly urged him to compete, even as Jorge’s health deteriorated sharply. “You asked me so much to play in the last World Cup and days before the start was when you reached your worst,” Messi revealed. It was the first time his father wouldn’t be at a tournament, but Messi’s mother reassured him Jorge would recover and travel. Messi even promised they’d reach the final so Jorge could be there. He clung to hope, trying to make it far in the tournament to give his father time to watch a game. He knew the gravity of the situation when Jorge stopped responding to texts. “Every time a game ended, I expected and missed your message. That’s when I realized that the situation was real,” Messi wrote. Argentina reached the final, only to lose 1-0 to Spain. Messi confessed, “I wanted to win it to take the trophy and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs couldn’t take it anymore. This time I tried to go against my physique, but I couldn’t. I could never feel good.” The ultimate heartbreak? Returning home to find Jorge thought they’d lost the final on penalties, unable to discuss everything that happened on American soil.
What does this mean for Lionel Messi, for Inter Miami, for the sport itself? Right now, it’s all up in the air. The question “I don’t know how to keep going” hangs heavy over a career that has defined an era. The world waits, holding its breath, to see what Messi’s next move will be.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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