Messi speaks out about retirement

Lionel Messi confessed that he is unsure how to move forward and has started questioning whether he can keep playing for much longer following his father's death.

In a farewell letter to his father Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi has left fans particularly worried by directly addressing his playing future. The Argentine superstar admitted that his father's passing has left him disoriented, and he is no longer certain how long he can continue in football.

"I don't know what I'll do without my father, nor do I know how to keep going. I live to play football, but now I truly doubt how much longer I can keep playing," Messi wrote.

The above statement is not yet an official retirement announcement, but it partly reflects the heavy emotional state of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. Throughout his career, Jorge Messi was not only his father but also his friend, agent, and one of the most important pillars of support.

Jorge accompanied his son from the very first training sessions, personally taking Messi to the pitch after work. When Messi faced the pivotal move to Spain as a teenager, his father was one of the key figures who helped him pursue his dream at Barcelona.

Since then, Jorge Messi has always been present behind every major milestone of his son. He closely followed matches, managed affairs, and offered advice on many important decisions. Messi acknowledged that there were occasional disagreements between them, but in the end, he almost always followed his father's guidance.

"You were both a father, a friend, and my agent. You always knew how to play the right role at the right time and never did anything wrong," Messi shared.

That special bond makes the void left by Jorge's passing difficult to fill. For Messi, football is not just a personal career but a journey that was built and preserved alongside his father for nearly his entire life.

In the letter, Messi also revealed that his father had always urged him to participate in the final World Cup. However, Jorge's health deteriorated just before the tournament began, making it the first time he could not personally watch his son at a major competition.

Messi tried his best to lead Argentina to the final, hoping his father would recover in time to attend. He wanted to win the title, bring the trophy back, and share that moment with Jorge. Yet that final wish did not come true.

"I wanted to win for you, to bring the trophy right to you and show it off. But I couldn't do it, my legs just couldn't push anymore," Messi expressed.

At 39, Messi was already very close to the end of his career. This family tragedy could strongly influence the Argentine star's future decisions. However, his words should be seen as emotions during a time of grief, rather than a confirmation that his retirement date has been set.

Nevertheless, the fact that someone who once declared "I live to play football" has begun to doubt his ability to continue underscores the immense emotional shock Messi is experiencing. Before thinking about returning to the pitch, he likely needs time with his family to heal and find direction again after the loss of the person who accompanied him from his very first steps.