Argentine Maestro Lionel Messi has paid an emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, days after his death, revealing that the loss has left him questioning whether he will continue playing football much longer.

The Inter Miami captain took to social media to mourn Jorge, who was not only his father but also his longtime representative and a key figure throughout his career.

“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone,” Messi wrote, describing his father’s death as coming too soon despite knowing that he had been suffering.

Messi revealed that one of his biggest hopes during the 2026 FIFA World Cup was for Argentina to reach the final so Jorge could recover and travel to watch him play.

“I kept telling you that we were going to reach the final so you could travel,” he said.

Argentina eventually reached the final, but Jorge was unable to attend. Messi said he had hoped to win the tournament so he could dedicate the achievement to his father.

“We reached the final, and you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it so I could bring it to you and show you another one; I couldn’t. My legs just couldn’t give me any more. This time I tried to push beyond what my body could handle, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel physically right,” he wrote.

The 39-year-old also recalled how his father supported him from his childhood, taking him to training sessions after work and rarely missing his matches.

Jorge later became closely involved in Messi’s professional career, representing him in negotiations and helping manage his affairs as he rose to become one of football’s greatest players.

“You were my dad, friend and representative,” Messi said.

However, Messi said he would remember Jorge primarily as his father, recalling the advice, disagreements and lessons that shaped him both as a footballer and as a person.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to keep going,” he wrote.

The Argentina star also admitted that his father’s death had made him uncertain about his future in football.

“I only played soccer, and now I have a lot of doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer,” Messi said.

Despite the pain of his loss, Messi said Jorge’s influence would continue through his family, particularly in the way he raises his children.

“I’m going to miss you so much, but you will always be present, especially in the way I raise my children, because I teach and raise them the way you raised me.

“Rest in peace and watch over us from above, just like you did here. Thank you for everything.

“I love you, Dad.” (The Nation)

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