ROSARIO, Argentina — Football superstar Lionel Messi is grappling with the loss of his father, Jorge Messi, and has expressed deep uncertainty about his future in the sport. Jorge Messi, who had been battling a long illness, passed away last week in Rosario at the age of 68.

The Argentina captain disclosed that his father's persistent desire for him to play in one final World Cup was a significant factor in his decision to participate in the 2026 tournament. Messi shared an emotional tribute on Wednesday, recalling his father's constant encouragement regarding the World Cup.

For the first time, Jorge Messi was not present at a major tournament with his son. Messi mentioned that his mother had been reassuring him that his father would recover and be well enough to travel.

Messi recounted telling his father that Argentina would reach the World Cup final, hoping Jorge could make the journey to watch him play. However, after each match, Messi would await a message from his father, a message that never came, signaling the gravity of Jorge's condition.

The football icon admitted he couldn't stop thinking about leading Argentina as far as possible in the tournament, hoping that reaching the final would grant his father more time and an opportunity to witness one of his games. Argentina ultimately reached the final, but Jorge Messi was unable to make the trip.

Messi had aimed to win the trophy for his father and bring it home as another World Cup triumph for him to celebrate. However, the physical demands of the tournament began to take their toll.

“My legs just couldn’t give me any more,” Messi stated, reflecting on the physical challenges he faced.

The World Cup concluded without the trophy Messi had envisioned presenting to his father, yet the experience held deep personal meaning. “We didn’t become champions Dad, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match,” he wrote in his tribute.

The loss has prompted Messi to question his path forward in his football career. The 39-year-old confessed that he is unsure how to proceed without his father's presence and admitted to having significant doubts about continuing to play for much longer.

Jorge Messi was more than just a father to Lionel; he was also his representative, advisor, and a pivotal figure in his journey from Rosario to the pinnacle of global football. Despite the immense success and accolades, Messi's final message to his father was not about trophies or records, but about fulfilling a paternal wish.

“Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play in it as you told me, always,” Messi concluded, acknowledging his father's foresight.