Argentine striker Lionel Messi has penned an open letter commemorating his late father Jorge Messi, who passed away after a prolonged illness. The footballer shared the message on August 12.
In heartfelt words, Messi wrote: “Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It’s very hard for me to imagine that I won’t see you again and we won’t talk anymore. I know you’ve suffered and that it’s better this way, but you left too soon. We still had so much to go through together.”
Messi revealed that his father had requested him play at the final World Cup tournament, but Jorge’s health declined rapidly. Despite efforts to reach the competition’s later stages to give his father time to recover and witness at least one match, Messi said: “We reached the final, and you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it (the 2026 World Cup final) to bring you the cup and show you the new trophy. I couldn’t, my legs wouldn’t work anymore.”
The athlete emphasized his father’s pivotal role in his career, describing him as both parent and agent who guided him from childhood. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” Messi added, expressing his uncertainty about continuing football. “You were by my side from the very beginning, and it wasn’t long before the end.”
Messi and his family attended a private farewell ceremony for Jorge in Rosario on August 9, following which he suspended his duties with Inter Miami. Jorge Messi died at age 69 in a Rosario hospital after an extended illness. Born in Rosario, Lionel was brought to FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy by his father in September 2000. A year later, he signed his first professional contract with the club while Jorge became his personal manager.
