Lionel Messi says he is still struggling to accept the death of his father, who passed away earlier this week at 68.
The Inter Miami captain broke his silence on the loss in an emotional Instagram post, revealing that his father had encouraged him to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He stated, “Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It hasn’t sunk in, or rather, I don’t want it to. It’s so hard for me to imagine that I’m never going to see you again, that we’re never going to talk again. I know you were suffering and that this is for the best, but you left us far too soon. We still had so much left to enjoy together.”
Messi said his father’s health worsened around the World Cup, leaving him without his usual messages after matches. He explained that fulfilling his father’s wish became a major source of motivation throughout the tournament.
He said, “You kept asking me to play in one last World Cup, and just days before it began was when your condition got worse. It was the first time you weren’t going to be there with me at a tournament, but Mom kept telling me you were going to get better and that you’d be well enough to travel. I kept telling you we were going to reach the final so you could make the trip.”
The Argentina captain recalled how he continued trying to reach his father despite his declining condition, saying the absence of his post-match messages made him realise how serious the situation had become.
He went on, “After each match, I anticipated and longed for your message. That was when I truly understood the gravity of the situation.
“Nevertheless, I could not cease contemplating how far I could go, to provide you with more time and the opportunity to witness one of the games. We made it to the final, but you were not there. I wished to win it so that I could bring the trophy to you and present you with another one. I was unable to do so.
“I share this with you because it is the sole subject we never had the chance to discuss. You are already aware of everything else. We communicated on a daily basis and met whenever my responsibilities allowed. I am uncertain about how to move forward without you. I do not know how to carry on. My entire existence has been centred around football, and now I harbour significant doubts about whether I will continue for much longer.
Messi also reflected on his father’s role throughout his football journey, recalling how he and his mother supported his development from childhood.
He said, “You were with me from the very beginning, and there was so little time remaining until the end. Why could you not hold on just a little longer so we could complete this journey together? I recognise that your happiness came from witnessing your family flourish, your wife, your children and, most importantly, from watching me play, even if no one else was aware of it…
“This arrangement has existed since my childhood. You took me to every training session as soon as you returned home from work. Mom also accompanied me to many sessions because you were occupied with work. And of course, you never missed a single match. You endured so much pain watching me, yet you also derived immense joy from it, even though you seldom offered me much praise.
“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. Rest in peace and watch over us from above, just as you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad.”
