Argentine football legend Lionel Messi said on Wednesday he is unsure about continuing his football career in an open letter to his father, who passed away on Saturday.
“I don’t know how I’m going to manage without you, I don’t know how to go on,” Messi wrote. “I just played soccer, and now I have serious doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer,” he added.
Messi also revealed that it was his father who encouraged him to play in the 2026 World Cup, and that he had promised Jorge he’d make the final so his father would be able to travel and attend the game.
Jorge Messi’s health issues made news during the tournament, when the Argentina captain was seen crying after scoring Argentina’s opening goal against Algeria. Messi later confirmed that the tears were due to “an issue completely unrelated to sports,” with subsequent rumors about his father’s health emerging. Messi’s family later confirmed that he was experiencing health issues after rumors of his death went viral on social media.
“My legs had nothing left to give”
