Lionel Messi Weighs Inter Miami Future After Father’s Death
Lionel Messi has broken his silence five days after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, admitting that the loss has left him with serious doubts about his playing future at Inter Miami. Jorge Messi died on August 7 at the age of 68 in a clinic in Rosario, according to reports. The world-cup winner shared an emotional, two-sided farewell letter and a photograph on Instagram, writing simply, “I love you, Dad.”
Weighing Professional Football and Career Legacy
In the open letter published to his social media followers, Lionel Messi addressed the heavy emotional toll of his father’s passing and questioned how much longer he will continue playing professional football.
“I have simply played football, and now I have major doubts about whether I will do it for much longer,” the forward wrote, according to the post. He described the difficulty of processing the reality of the loss, stating that he cannot yet grasp that his father has gone.
A Lifelong Manager, Advisor, and Confidant
Jorge Messi served as his son’s manager, advisor, and close confidant from the very beginning of his career. According to historical career records, Jorge guided Lionel through professional transitions, including his departure from FC Barcelona, his subsequent move to Paris Saint-Germain, and his eventual transfer to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. “You were father, friend, and advisor,” Lionel wrote in his tribute.
The World Cup Context and Final Months
The tribute also detailed the emotional buildup to the recent World Cup tournament, where Argentina finished as runners-up to Spain. Lionel revealed that it was Jorge who encouraged him to participate in another global campaign despite mounting health struggles. According to the Instagram post, Jorge’s health deteriorated significantly right before the tournament began, leaving the player waiting for messages from his father after every match to gauge his condition.
Private Burial and Global Support
David Beckham (51) offered public support following the announcement, writing in the comments section of the post: “We are with you and your family, Leo, always.” The post generated more than ten million likes within two hours of publication. According to BBC reporting, Jorge Messi was buried on August 9 in a private family ceremony at a cemetery in Pérez on the outskirts of Rosario.
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