Lionel Messi Casts Fresh Doubt Over Future After Father’s Death

Lionel Messi, 39, has raised serious questions about his playing future after the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi. In his first public message since the funeral, the Argentina superstar admitted he has “serious doubts” about continuing football for much longer.

“I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on,” Messi wrote on social media, describing football as the one thing he had always played.

The admission comes days after Jorge Messi’s funeral in Perez, near Rosario. Messi returned to the United States on Tuesday night after spending time with his family in Argentina.

His father died last week aged 68. The cause of death was not disclosed, although local media had reported that Jorge had been suffering from cancer.

The timing has made Messi’s comments particularly striking. His contract with Inter Miami runs through the end of the 2028 season, yet the wording of his message has raised the possibility that his personal decision could come well before the deal expires.

A career built alongside his father

Jorge Messi was central to the career that turned a teenage prodigy into one of football’s biggest names. When Barcelona invited Lionel to Spain at 13, Jorge left his job, wife and three other children in Argentina to move with him.

He was also the father who took Messi to training after work, watched his matches and later negotiated major contracts at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.

That history shaped Messi’s message. He recalled how Jorge had urged him to play in one last World Cup. His father’s health deteriorated shortly before the tournament, meaning he could not attend.

Messi still delivered a remarkable campaign. At his sixth World Cup, he scored eight goals and helped Argentina reach the final against Spain. Argentina lost 1-0 in New Jersey.

Messi later returned to Rosario. He said his father initially believed the final had gone to penalties and could not fully understand what had happened.

The emotional toll was already visible during the tournament. Messi cried after scoring against Algeria and acknowledged that he was dealing with a situation outside football.

Now the Lionel Messi retirement debate has taken a sharp turn. There has been no announcement that he plans to quit, but his own words have made the question unavoidable.

The Jorge Messi death has left a personal void that may influence what comes next for the Argentina captain. His father had been present through almost every major stage of the journey.

“You were a father, a friend, and an agent,” Messi wrote.

For now, football has no answer about what Messi will do next. His contract remains, his status remains enormous, but the decision is suddenly personal rather than purely sporting. That choice could shape the final chapter of his career.