Throughout his illustrious two-decade career, Lionel Messi has largely chosen to keep his personal life private, sparing the media from glimpses of his emotions. However, the passing of his father has prompted him to share an open letter on social media that reveals his profound grief, making it a moment of vulnerability rarely seen from the football superstar.

A Message of Loss

In a poignant message addressed directly to his father, Jorge, Messi expresses his despair at the thought of continuing life without him. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to carry on. I just played football and now I have serious doubts that I’ll keep doing it for much longer,” he wrote. These words resonate deeply, especially considering Messi’s history of shying away from discussions about retirement.

He also conveys his sorrow over his father’s inability to stay just a little longer, writing, “You were by my side from the very start, there was so little left to go. Why didn’t you hang on that bit longer so we could finish together?”

More Than a Father

Jorge Horacio Messi was not only Lionel’s father but also his agent during the early years of his career. Lionel often credits his father for shouldering much of the burden of his professional journey off the pitch. In his letter, Messi reminisces about this unwavering bond and expresses regret that his father’s declining health during the last World Cup kept him from experiencing that momentous occasion.

“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. We still had so much left to enjoy together. You kept insisting that I should play the last World Cup, and just days before it began was when you got worse,” he reflects. Messi shares that he held onto hope, spurred by his mother’s reassurances that his father would be well enough to witness him in the final. “I told you we were going to reach the final so you could travel. We made it to the final and you couldn’t be there,” he recalls, lamenting the match Argentina lost against Spain on July 19.

He concludes with an expression of regret, stating, “I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t; my legs just weren’t there anymore. This time I tried to push my body beyond its limits, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel right.”

Contemplating the Future

Currently, Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami and has yet to announce his future plans regarding his club or the Argentine national team. However, his letter implies that his father’s passing has prompted an introspective period for him that he had not previously opened up about. He admits that his connection to football had always intertwined with his father’s presence, suggesting that this moment of uncertainty regarding his future is especially poignant.

A Private Farewell

Jorge Messi’s funeral took place privately at El Prado cemetery in Rosario, where both father and son hail from. Attendees included Antonela Roccuzzo and Messi’s children, while various clubs and organizations within Argentine football, including Newell’s Old Boys—his father’s favorite team—expressed their condolences in the days that followed.

Key Moments in Messi’s Career

1. Barcelona First-Team Debut (2004) – At just 17 years old, Messi marked his entry into professional football with Barcelona, beginning a remarkable journey that would last over twenty years.
2. First Champions League Title (Rome, 2009) – Scoring a crucial second goal against Manchester United, Messi helped Barcelona secure all six trophies that season, highlighting that goal as pivotal in his career.
3. Qatar 2022 World Cup Victory – Finally clinching the title he had long pursued, Messi led Argentina to victory over France in a penalty shoot-out, solidifying his status as a world champion after previously facing disappointment in four finals.
4. Departure from Barcelona (2021) – After two decades and 35 trophies, Messi announced his emotional exit from Barcelona due to the club’s financial difficulties, later signing with Paris Saint-Germain.
5. Latest Ballon d’Or (2023) – This year marked Messi’s ninth Ballon d’Or, recognizing him as the best player in the world, alongside Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, who was honored for her achievements in women’s football.
6. All-Time World Cup Top Scorer (2026) – During the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Messi broke Miroslav Klose’s record to become the tournament’s top scorer, despite Argentina losing to Spain in the final.