Lionel Messi unsure how much longer he will play after father's death

Lionel Messi returned to the pitch just four days after his father’s death, receiving an impromptu hug from Club Leon defender Jhohan Romana during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match on Thursday, August 13. The emotional moment, captured on video and shared widely on social media, highlighted the support for the Argentine star following the passing of Jorge Messi, who died at 68 after a prolonged illness. Local media reported that he had been battling cancer, though the cause of death was not officially disclosed in all sources.

Messi, who had traveled to Rosario to attend his father’s private funeral, made his return to action in the second half of Inter Miami’s 3-2 loss to Leon. The 39-year-old forward, who had previously expressed uncertainty about continuing his career, was greeted with a loud ovation from fans at Miami’s Nu Stadium. Romana’s spontaneous gesture, described as a “message of support” by Leon’s club, was later celebrated on social media, with the Mexican team dedicating the moment to Messi and expressing “respect and affection.”

The match, part of the Leagues Cup tournament, saw Leon come from behind to advance to the knockout stage. Inter Miami had taken an early lead through Daniel Pinter but were overtaken by goals from Juan Pablo Domínguez and Daniel Arcila, who scored twice, including the decisive strike in the 83rd minute. Yannick Bright added a late goal for Inter Miami, but the Herons’ hopes of progression were dashed after previous losses to Monterrey. The defeat marked another setback for a team already grappling with the absence of their star player, who had been expected to take an extended break following his father’s death.

Messi’s emotional return came days after he shared a heartfelt social media post reflecting on his father’s role in his life. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to keep going. All I ever did was play soccer, and now I have serious doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer,” he wrote. Jorge Messi, who served as his son’s agent and a central figure in his career, had been battling cancer, though the cause of death was not officially disclosed in all sources.

The 2026 World Cup campaign, in which Argentina reached the final before losing to Spain, had coincided with Jorge Messi’s illness. The forward had admitted that his father had encouraged him to compete, and he had hoped to win the trophy to share with him. “We made it to the final, but you couldn’t be there,” Messi wrote. “I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs had nothing left.”

Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of the 2028 season, but his immediate future remains uncertain. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has not yet commented on whether he will extend his career, though his recent statements have highlighted the profound impact of his father’s absence. “You were a father, a friend, and an agent. You were always exactly who you needed to be in every moment,” he wrote. His message closed with a farewell: “I love you, Dad.”

In a new statement shared on Instagram, Messi expanded on his grief, questioning whether he would continue his football career. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to move forward. I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much longer,” he wrote. He also reflected on his father’s influence, stating, “You were by my side from the 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?”

Jorge Messi had closely accompanied his son throughout his career, beginning with his early years at Barcelona, and served as his representative for several years. Messi revealed that one reason he played at the World Cup, where Argentina finished runners-up to Spain after an extra-time defeat in the final, was because it was his father’s wish. “You always asked me to play in the last World Cup and a few days before it started was when you got worse,” Messi said. “It was the first time you weren’t going to be at a tournament… Every time a match ended, I would wait and hope for your message. That’s when I realised how real the situation was.”

During the World Cup, Messi experienced mixed emotions after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria. He broke down in tears while celebrating his first goal, later explaining that his tears were due to “something unrelated to football” after going through “a few difficult, complicated days.” He said he wanted to win the final for his father but had no energy left to secure a second World Cup title. “My legs couldn’t go on anymore. This time I tried to push myself beyond my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I never felt well… We weren’t champions, but you don’t know how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play it,” Messi added.

Despite his grief, the Inter Miami forward said he would honor his father’s memory through raising his own children. “I’m going to miss you so much, but you will always be present, especially in the upbringing of my children, because I will teach them and raise them the way you raised me,” he said.

The football world continues to await further clarification on Messi’s plans, as the 2026 World Cup era appears to be drawing to a close. For now, the Argentine’s return to the pitch, marked by both personal grief and a moment of solidarity from a rival, has added another chapter to the story of a career defined by resilience and legacy.