Messi doubts football future after father's death

Lionel Messi has cast doubt on his future in professional football, citing the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi. The football icon shared his uncertainty in a social media post, revealing the profound impact of his father's passing.

Jorge Messi, who also served as his son's agent, died last week at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, after a prolonged illness. His death has left Messi questioning his ability to continue his career, a path he has followed his entire life.

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I don't know what I will do without you. I don't know how I will continue. I have only known how to play football, but I am now very doubtful about whether I can continue doing so.

"I don't know what I will do without you. I don't know how I will continue," Messi wrote in his post. "I have only known how to play football, but I am now very doubtful about whether I can continue doing so."

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You always asked me to play the World Cup, and there were only a few days left before the tournament started when your illness worsened. It was the first time you weren't with me during a tournament... I waited for your message after every match. That's when I understood the gravity of the situation.

Messi reflected on his father's unwavering support, which began from the very start of his career. He mentioned that his father's wish for him to play in the last World Cup was a significant motivation. "You always asked me to play the World Cup, and there were only a few days left before the tournament started when your illness worsened," he shared. "It was the first time you weren't with me during a tournament... I waited for your message after every match. That's when I understood the gravity of the situation."

He also revealed that the tears he shed after scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria during the World Cup were not related to football but stemmed from the difficult days he had endured. Messi admitted that he felt he lacked the strength to win the World Cup for his father, despite pushing his physical limits. "My legs no longer wanted to go forward. Even though I tried to go beyond my physical limits this time, I couldn't. I never felt good," he stated. "We might not have become champions, but you don't know how much we enjoyed every match. What you said was true again: I had to play there."

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My legs no longer wanted to go forward. Even though I tried to go beyond my physical limits this time, I couldn't. I never felt good.