Lionel Messi remembers father Jorge in emotional tribute after his death: ‘Don’t know what I’ll do without you’

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi shared a moving tribute on Wednesday to his father, Jorge, who played a fundamental role in his remarkable football career. The footballer’s dad passed away at age 68 in Rosario after suffering from chronic illness.

Jorge worked as a businessman and also served as Messi’s agent for a long time. He played a pivotal role in securing key agreements that saw the Argentine footballer join Paris Saint‑Germain in Ligue 1 and later Inter Miami CF in MLS.

‘I have doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer’

On Instagram, Messi shared a picture of his father and penned a heartwarming message in Spanish, making his first statement after his passing. He expressed disbelief upon his death, saying that he left too soon and that they had a lot left to enjoy together.

“Dad, I still can’t believe that you’ve gone. I don’t fall, or rather, I don’t want to fall. It’s very hard for me to imagine that I’m not going to see you anymore, that we’re not going to talk anymore. I know you were suffering and that it’s for the best, but you left too soon. We still had a lot left to enjoy together,” Messi wrote.

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The Argentine added that he wanted to win the 2026 World Cup for his father and went against his body to deliver, but failed to cross the finish line after Argentina lost to Spain 1-0 in the summit clash.

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Messi also admitted that he does not know how to move forward without him, even questioning whether he will continue playing football for long.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you; I don’t know how to go on. I only played football, and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer. You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why couldn’t you hold on that little bit more so we could finish together?” he added.

Messi returns to action for Inter Miami

After travelling to Rosario over the weekend to be with his family, Messi returned to the United States and was in action for Inter Miami during the Leagues Cup. Messi started in the game’s second half at Nu Stadium, subbing in for Daniel Pinter at the start of the second half.

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The Argentine received a loud ovation as soon as he stepped onto the field, and Miami sealed a 3-2 victory over Club León to advance to the semifinal.