Lionel Messi (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi has raised questions about how much longer he will continue playing soccer following the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi.
Jorge died at age 68 last week in Rosario, Argentina, following a lengthy illness. He had been a central figure in his son’s career for decades, helping guide Messi from his early years in Argentina to Barcelona and later serving as his representative.
Messi Questions How Much Longer He Will Play
Messi, 39, addressed his father’s death in an emotional social media post Wednesday and admitted that continuing his career without Jorge by his side is difficult to imagine.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you”, Messi wrote. He later added: “I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer.”
Jorge was far more than Messi’s father. He took his son to training sessions as a child, helped facilitate his move from Argentina to Barcelona as a teenager and eventually became his agent, handling major decisions throughout a career that has included stops with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Messi said his father was there from the beginning of his playing career and expressed his disappointment that the two could not see it through together.
The Argentina captain has not announced his retirement, but his comments represent one of his clearest acknowledgements yet that the end of his career may be approaching.
World Cup Took On Deeper Meaning For Messi
Jorge’s declining health also hung over Messi throughout the 2026 World Cup.
Messi revealed that his father had pushed him to participate in the tournament despite questions over whether the 39-year-old would play. Jorge was unable to travel to North America, marking the first World Cup he had not attended with his son.
The severity of the situation became apparent during Argentina’s opening match against Algeria. Messi broke down in tears after scoring and said afterward that his emotions were connected to something away from soccer. His family later confirmed Jorge was dealing with a health issue.
Argentina ultimately advanced to the final before falling 1-0 to Spain in extra time. Messi said he pushed his body as far as he could during the tournament in hopes of giving his father another chance to see Argentina lift the trophy.
After the final, Messi returned to Rosario to spend time with his family before eventually going back to South Florida and rejoining Inter Miami.
Jorge died several weeks later.
Inter Miami Awaits Messi’s Next Move
Messi’s comments now leave uncertainty over how much longer one of the most decorated players in soccer history intends to compete.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has spent the latter stages of his career with Inter Miami after joining the MLS club in 2023. He also remains Argentina’s captain after leading his country to the 2022 World Cup title and another appearance in the final four years later.
Messi missed Inter Miami’s 2-1 Leagues Cup loss to Monterrey over the weekend as he remained with his family following his father’s death.
His future will also remain a major storyline around MLS and for those following Inter Miami through soccer betting sites, but Messi has given no timeline for when he could make a final decision on his career.
For now, his focus remains on his family. Messi said he plans to keep his father’s influence alive through his own children and raise them with many of the same values Jorge passed down to him.