Lionel Messi has revealed he is having doubts about continuing his career following the death of his father, Jorge, who passed away last week at the age of 68. Jorge died at a medical clinic in the Argentine city of Rosario after a long illness.
In an emotional tribute posted on Instagram, the 39-year-old Argentina captain wrote: 'I don't know what I'm going to do without you. I don't know how to move forward. I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I'm going to keep doing it for much longer.'
Messi's father had been a constant presence throughout his son's career, from his early days at Barcelona. He served as a crucial pillar of support and, for several years, acted as his representative.
A Father's Final Wish
Messi revealed that one of the reasons he played in the recent World Cup, where Argentina finished as runners-up to Spain after an extra-time loss in the final, was because it was his father's wish. 'You always asked me to play in the last World Cup and a few days before it started was when you got worse,' Messi said. 'It was the first time you weren't going to be at a tournament... Every time a match ended, I would wait and hope for your message. That's when I realised how real the situation was.'
During the tournament, Messi experienced mixed emotions after scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria, breaking down in tears while celebrating his first goal. He later explained that his tears were due to 'something unrelated to football' after going through 'a few difficult, complicated days.'
Struggles in the Final
Messi said he wanted to win the final for his father but had no energy left to bring home a second World Cup title. 'My legs couldn't go on anymore. This time I tried to push myself beyond my physical limits, but I couldn't. I never felt well... We weren't champions, but you don't know how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play it,' he added.
Despite his grief, the Inter Miami forward pledged to honour his father's memory through raising his own children. 'I'm going to miss you so much, but you will always be present, especially in the upbringing of my children, because I will teach them and raise them the way you raised me,' he said.
