Lionel Messi's father passed away earlier in the week at the age of 68, leaving the Inter Miami captain grappling with the loss. In his first public statement since the death, Messi took to Instagram to share an emotional message, stating that he has not yet fully come to terms with the news. The Argentina captain expressed his grief, saying, "Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It hasn’t sunk in, or rather, I don’t want it to." Messi's father had been suffering from deteriorating health during the FIFA World Cup, and Messi was unable to receive messages from him after the matches.
Messi revealed that his father had urged him to compete in the2026 FIFA World Cup, which had become a significant motivation for him. He shared that his father's condition worsened just days before the tournament began, and despite his mother's reassurances that his father would recover, Messi knew the situation was grave. The Argentina captain stated that he consistently found ways to connect with his father whenever possible, and his father's absence was deeply felt throughout the tournament. Messi said, "After each match, I anticipated and longed for your message. That was when I truly understood the gravity of the situation."
Messi's emotional message also touched on his uncertainty about his football future, saying, "My entire existence has been centred around football, and now I harbour significant doubts about whether I will continue for much longer." He contemplated how his parents had divided the responsibilities of his football training and matches, with his father always present at his games. Messi added, "You were with me from the very beginning, and there was so little time remaining until the end. Why could you not hold on just a little longer so we could complete this journey together?" The Inter Miami captain concluded his message by saying, "I’m going to miss you so much, but you’ll always be present, especially in the way I raise my children, because I teach them and raise them the way you and mom raised me."
As Messi navigates this difficult period, his future in football remains uncertain. The Argentina captain's emotional message has sparked an outpouring of support from fans and fellow players, who are waiting to see how he will proceed. With the2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Messi's decision will have significant implications for his team and the sport as a whole. For now, Messi is taking the time to grieve and come to terms with his loss, and his next steps will be closely watched by the football community.
