Messi Doubts Football Future After Father's Death

Lionel Messi has expressed profound uncertainty about his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 7 in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68. In an emotional tribute posted on social media on August 12, the 39-year-old Inter Miami forward revealed that the loss has left him with serious doubts about continuing his career.

Jorge Messi died after a long illness, a condition that had deteriorated in the months leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His declining health weighed heavily on his son during the tournament, where Argentina reached the final but lost 1-0 in extra time to Spain on July 19. Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami's recent League Cup match against Monterrey to travel to Argentina for his father's funeral, which was held privately at a cemetery in Pérez, near Rosario.

In his statement, Messi described his father as his "dad, friend, and representative," acknowledging the central role Jorge played throughout his life and career. He recalled how his father's condition worsened just before the World Cup began, making it the first major tournament Jorge would miss. Messi revealed that his desire to win the World Cup was...