Messi Posts Heartfelt Tribute to Late Father, Reveals World Cup Motivation

Football icon Lionel Messi has shared a heartfelt and lengthy tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68. In a poignant message posted on social media, Messi expressed his profound grief and disbelief at his father's passing. "I still can't believe Dad is gone," Messi wrote, detailing the immense difficulty of imagining life without his father's presence and the many experiences they still had left to share. The emotional post also revealed a deeply personal motivation behind Messi's participation in the 2026 World Cup. He disclosed that his father had urged him to play in the tournament, a request made as his father's health was deteriorating shortly before the competition began. Messi's performance in that World Cup, where he led Argentina to the final with eight goals and four assists, was watched under the shadow of his father's illness, who could not be present to witness his son's achievements.

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I still can't believe Dad is gone. It's hard to imagine not being able to see him or talk to him anymore. There's so much left to enjoy together, but he left too soon.