Lionel Messi has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 7, 2026, after a prolonged illness. The football icon revealed that his father’s dying wish was for him to participate in one final World Cup.
In an emotional statement released on August 12, Messi described how Jorge, who was also his longtime agent and adviser, encouraged him to compete even as his health worsened just days before the tournament began.
Jorge Messi’s Last Wish
Messi shared the deep personal struggle he faced throughout the World Cup, waiting for messages from his father that never came. He wrote, "Dad, you kept asking me to play in one last World Cup… 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 the tournament."
Jorge Messi died in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68. His family, including his wife Celia and children Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, were by his side during his final days.
Legacy and Impact
Jorge’s role extended beyond being Messi’s father; he was a guiding figure in his professional career, managing his affairs and supporting him from his early days in Rosario to global stardom.
During the tournament, Messi set a personal goal to reach the final to give his father time to recover and watch him play. He wrote, "I kept telling you we were going to reach the World Cup final so you could make the trip; this was my mission once again."
Although Argentina reached the final, Jorge was unable to attend. Messi expressed his desire to win the trophy as a tribute to his father but acknowledged his physical limits, stating, "I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you another one. I couldn't. My legs just couldn't give me any more."
Tributes from Argentine Football
Following Jorge Messi’s death, Argentina’s football community paid respects with moments of silence at matches and condolences from clubs such as Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s childhood team.
