Argentina superstar and inspiration behind his country’s 2022 World Cup victory, Lionel Messi, said on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) he has “serious doubts” about continuing to play football for “much longer” after the death of his father Jorge Messi .
“This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn’t. Jorge Messi’s unusual absence from the World Cup in June had already attracted attention. In the message, Messi, whose contract with Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami runs till the end of the 2028 season, reflected on the final months of his father’s life, which coincided with the 2026 World Cup. I never felt right,” Messi said in his first comments after the 1–0 loss to Spain in the final in New Jersey.
“I kept telling you we would reach the final so you could make the trip,” said Messi, who returned to the United States on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) night following his father’s funeral on Sunday (August 9, 2026). Messi’s family asked the media for “humanity” during the tournament amid persistent rumours over Jorge’s health. After bursting into tears after scoring against Algeria in a group match, Messi had admitted to dealing with “a situation outside of sports”.