Lionel Messi has said he is unsure whether he will continue playing football for much longer after the death of his father, Jorge, adding an emotional personal account to earlier reports of the loss. The remarks raise fresh uncertainty over the 39-year-old’s future, as Jorge had been a constant presence and his agent from Messi’s early teenage years.

Jorge Messi died aged 68 last week following a long illness, and a private funeral was held on Sunday near Rosario, Argentina. Messi said his father had hoped to see him play in one final World Cup; Argentina reached the 2026 final but lost 1-0 to Spain, after which Messi returned to Inter Miami before travelling home.