Is Lionel Messi’s career coming to a close?
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to carry on. All I ever did was play football, and now I have serious doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer,” Messi posted as part of an emotional goodbye message to his late father, Jorge Messi, on Instagram. “You were by my side from the very beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why couldn’t you hold on just a little longer so we could finish it together? I know your happiness was seeing your family doing well, your wife, your children, and above all, without the others finding out, watching me play. …
“I’m going to miss you so much, but you’ll always be present, especially in the way I raise my children, because I teach and raise them the way you raised me. Rest in peace and look after us from above, just as you did down here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad.”
Jorge Messi, who passed away last week at 68, served as Lionel Messi’s agent during the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s career.
As for the 39-year-old Messi, the superstar striker and Argentina, who won the 2022 World Cup, are coming off a brutal, extra-time loss to Lamine Yamal and Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final.
Messi, who’s one of just two players to appear in six World Cups (Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo is the other), tallied eight goals and four assists across eight matches in the 2026 World Cup.
Regarding the present, Messi is in the midst of his third full-time season and fourth season altogether with Inter Miami in MLS. Through 15 matches in the 2026 MLS season, Messi has totaled 12 goals and seven assists.
