Messi Doubts Soccer Future After Father Jorge Dies at 68

Q: After losing the mastermind behind his legendary career, will Lionel Messi walk away from football forever?

No one knows yet, and there is no official sign that Lionel Messi is walking away from football forever. What is clear is that the death of his father, Jorge Messi, has deeply shaken him. Messi’s tribute — saying he did not know “how to carry on” and that he had hoped they would finish his career together — has intensified doubts about how much longer he wants to play. Jorge was not only his father but also his agent, adviser and the central figure behind nearly every stage of his career. Still, the available evidence points more to uncertainty than to an imminent retirement. Reports around Argentina’s camp say Messi has not made a public retirement announcement, and coach Lionel Scaloni has said he believes Messi will keep playing “as long as he wants.” Inter Miami also remains an important factor: Messi is still under contract there, which suggests his club career is not automatically over. There is also precedent for caution before declaring this the end. Messi retired once from international football in 2016 and reversed the decision weeks later. Since then, he has repeatedly taken a day-to-day approach to his future, avoiding firm promises. The most realistic reading is that Messi is grieving and may take time away before deciding anything. Retirement from Argentina, retirement from club football, or simply a short pause all remain possible. For now, the strongest answer is that his future is uncertain — but he has not yet said goodbye to football.

3 articles · Updated · WMUR Manchester · Aug 12

Lionel Messi said he has “serious doubts” about how much longer he will keep playing, in an Instagram tribute posted four days after his father Jorge died.
Jorge Messi had managed his son’s career and business affairs for years, and Messi wrote that his father had urged him to play in this summer’s World Cup before his condition worsened.
The 39-year-old linked his emotional tournament to that loss, saying he pushed beyond what his body could handle as Argentina reached the final but finished runner-up.
Inter Miami has already been affected: Messi returned to Argentina, missed the club’s Leagues Cup match against Monterrey, and coach Guillermo Hoyos said there is no timetable for his return.