In a poignant tribute following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi has shared his grief and reflections on their relationship. This marks Messi's first public statement since his father's passing earlier this month. The Argentina captain posted a heartfelt photograph with his father, captioned "Te amo, pa" ("I love you, Dad"), alongside a letter that delves into his emotional turmoil during this challenging time.

Struggling with Loss

Messi expressed his disbelief over his father's death, stating, "Dad, I still can't believe you're gone. It hasn't sunk in, or rather, I don't want it to." He conveyed the difficulty of accepting that he would no longer see or speak with his father. Although he acknowledged that Jorge had been suffering, Messi felt the loss came too soon, saying, "I know you were suffering and that it's for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much to enjoy together."

A World Cup Promise

One of the most touching parts of Messi's tribute focused on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He revealed that his father had encouraged him to participate in what would be his final World Cup, even as Jorge's health declined. Messi recalled, "You kept asking me to play in the last World Cup, and it was just days before it started that you were at your worst." Despite the circumstances, Messi's mother reassured him that Jorge would recover in time to attend the tournament. Messi had promised his father that they would reach the final together.

As Argentina progressed through the tournament, Messi felt the absence of his father's support after each match. He stated, "Every time a game ended, I waited for and missed your message." Although Argentina reached the final against Spain, Jorge was unable to be there. Messi reflected on his motivation to win the trophy for his father, saying, "I wanted to win it so I could take it home and show you a new one. I couldn't do it; my legs just wouldn't give out." Ultimately, Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain, leaving Messi with a profound sense of loss.