Messi says he is unsure he will play ‘much longer’ after father's death

Lionel Messi said he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing football after his father, Jorge, died in a hospital in Rosario last week, a message the Argentina forward posted on social media.

Messi, 39, paid tribute after Jorge, 68, died following a long illness; Jorge had acted as his son's agent since he was 14 and watched him become one of the sport's greatest ever players. A private funeral was held on Sunday at a cemetery in the town of Perez, on the outskirts of Rosario.

Messi captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup and led the national team to the 2026 World Cup final in July, where they lost 1-0 to Spain. After the 2026 tournament he returned to his club side, Inter Miami.

He returned home with his family following his father's passing in Rosario, Argentina, and the social media message followed that return. The post was described in media reports as an emotional tribute.

Messi wrote on social media: "I don't know what I'm going to do without you," followed by: "I don't know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I'm really not sure if I'll carry on doing it for much longer." He also wrote: "You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why couldn't you hold on just a little longer so we could finish it together?"

Jorge Messi had been Lionel's agent since the player was 14 and was present as his son developed into a leading figure in the sport. The death and Messi's public uncertainty about his future come after his central role in Argentina's recent World Cup campaigns.

Messi's statement that he is unsure whether he will "carry on doing it for much longer" is the clearest public indication to date of doubt over his playing future, following Argentina's run to the 2026 final in July and his subsequent return to Inter Miami.