Lionel Messi Mourns Father In Emotional Tribute

Lionel Messi has paid an emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, describing him as his “dad, friend, and representative” and recalling the pivotal role he played throughout his football career.

TVC News earlier reported that Jorge Messi passed away at the age of 68 on August 7, 2026, at a medical clinic in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, following a long illness.

In a lengthy message shared on Instagram, Messi expressed disbelief over his father’s death, saying he was struggling to accept that they would never speak or see each other again.

The Argentina captain revealed that his father had repeatedly urged him to play in one more World Cup and said his condition deteriorated just days before the tournament began.

Messi recalled how he hoped Argentina would reach the final so his father could travel to watch him play, but his father’s worsening condition prevented him from attending.

He said he missed receiving his father’s messages after every match, which made him realise how serious his condition had become.

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Messi also revealed that he wanted to win the World Cup for his father and bring him the trophy, but Argentina ultimately lost the final and he felt his body could not give him any more.

“When I got back, you thought we had lost the final on penalties. We couldn’t talk about anything that had happened. You weren’t able to enjoy any of it,” Messi wrote.

He said his father had been by his side from the beginning of his football journey, taking him to training sessions after work and never missing his matches.

“And of course, you never missed a single match. How much you suffered watching me, and how much you enjoyed it, even though you never gave me too much praise,” he said.

Messi described his father as someone who always knew what role to play in every situation and said his advice had often proved right despite their occasional disagreements.

“You were my dad, my friend, and my representative. You always knew exactly who you needed to be in every moment, and you were never wrong about anything,” he wrote.

The 39-year-old said he would carry his father’s influence into the way he raises his own children, following the values and upbringing he received from his parents.

“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 them and raise them the way you and Mom raised me,” Messi wrote.

He concluded the emotional tribute by thanking his father for everything and asking him to continue watching over the family.

“Rest in peace and watch over us from above, just as you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad.”