Following his father Jorge Messiโs death in early August, Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi posted an emotional tribute, opening up about their profound bond.
In an open letter to his father shared on Instagram Aug. 12, Lionel Messi wrote that itโs been difficult for him to process the death. The grieving son also expressed that without Jorge Messi, he isnโt sure โhow to go on.โ
Jorge Messi, who was the soccer iconโs longtime representative and agent, died at medical facility Sanatorio Centro in Argentina on Aug. 8, the hospital confirmed in a statement. He was 68 years old.
โI just played soccer, and now I have a lot of doubts about whether Iโm going to keep doing it for much longer,โ Lionel Messi, 39, wrote, according to an NBC News translation of the post. โYou were by my side from the beginning, we were so close to the end.โ
Lionel Messi, who is believed to have just played in his final World Cup game in July given his age and lengthy career, then asked his father in the open letter: โWhy didnโt you hang on just a little longer and we would have ended this together?โ
In early August, Lionel Messi attended a private ceremony in Argentina for his father.
Jorge Messi was an integral part of his sonโs career, negotiating some of Lionel Messiโs most high-profile contracts including that with FC Barcelona, in addition to transfers to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami FC. He was frequently seen, attending his sonโs games. But when Jorge Messi was noticeably absent from Argentinaโs World Cup matches this summer, questions emerged about the elder Messiโs health.
During one particular World Cup game in June in which Argentina won 3-1 against Algeria, Lionel Messi became emotional when scoring his first goal of three. In interviews after the game, the soccer star alluded to some personal struggles he was dealing with off the field.
โIt was something completely unrelated to football,โ he told reporters of why he broke down. โโI went through some difficult days.โ
In his tribute post, Lionel Messi said that he โcanโt believe that youโre gone.โ
โI canโt grasp it, or rather, I donโt want to grasp it. Itโs hard for me to imagine that I wonโt see you anymore, that we wonโt talk anymore,โ Lionel Messi wrote. โI know you were suffering and that itโs for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much to enjoy together.โ
Lionel Messi, captain of Argentinaโs national team, continued, describing the interaction the two had just ahead of the tournament. At the time, Lionel Messi wrote, Jorge Messi was not feeling well.
โYou kept asking me to play in the last World Cup, and a few days before it started was when you felt the worst,โ Lionel Messi wrote in the post. โIt was going to be the first time you wouldnโt be at a tournament, but Mom told me that you were going to be better and that youโd be okay to travel.โ
Lionel Messi revealed in the Instagram post that he had promised his father that the team would reach the finals in hopes that Jorge Messi would be well enough to travel by then. The team did in fact make it to the end of the tournament, but lost to Spain 0-1.
โEvery time a game ended, I waited for and I missed your message. Thatโs when I realized that the situation was really bad,โ Lionel Messi said. โEven so, I couldnโt stop thinking about going as far as possible, to give you time to see a game.โ
Lionel Messi said that he had wanted to surprise his father with the victory. But, he wrote in the post, his โlegs wouldnโt give anymore.โ
โWe werenโt champions, but you donโt know how much we enjoyed every game,โ Lionel Messi wrote. โOnce again, you were right: I had to be there and play it.โ
Lionel Messi also reminisced on the soccer journey that the two shared. Jorge Messi was among the first to recognize his sonโs immense talents on the field. The proud dad traveled with Lionel Messi to Barcelona when the young soccer star was just 13 years old to kickstart his eventual storied career there.
In a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata, Lionel Messi recalled how the pair endured difficult times together in the early days of his soccer career.
โSometimes I would lock myself in my room to cry when we arrived in Barcelona, or my dad would do the same without me seeing him, or thinking I didnโt see him,โ Lionel Messi recalled to the outlet. โWe pretended we were both OK, but we werenโt. My dad even asked me what I wanted to do when we were feeling down, if I wanted to stay or go back, and I wanted to stay, and he stayed with me.โ
In his emotional Instagram post, Lionel Messi wrote that his father never missed a single game.
โHow you suffered watching me and how much you enjoyed it, even if you never showered me with too many compliments,โ Lionel Messi wrote.
He concluded his post by telling Jorge Messi that heโll continue to teach his children the way his dad taught him. Jorge Messiโs spirit lives on, Lionel Messi wrote.
โRest in peace and watch over us from above like you did here. Thank you for everything,โ Lionel Messi wrote. โI love you, Dad.โ