Lionel Messi is uncertain how much longer he will continue playing football following the death of his father, Jorge, according to The Guardian. The newspaper reports that the Argentine forward has "quite a few doubts" about his future in the sport.
The Guardian’s reporting, published Wednesday, indicates that the loss has prompted Messi to reconsider his career timeline. Other outlets, including BBC, Sky Sports, The Telegraph, and The New York Times, have also covered the story, with similar reports that Messi is unsure whether he will play "much longer."
Jorge Messi, who was long a central figure in his son’s career, died recently, though the specific date and circumstances have not been detailed in the available reporting. The Guardian’s article frames the death as a direct factor in Messi’s current uncertainty about his playing days.
Messi, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, has spent recent seasons with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer after a storied career at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. He also led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. The Guardian’s report does not specify a timeline for any decision, nor does it suggest Messi has announced an immediate retirement.
The news comes amid ongoing speculation about Messi’s longevity at the top level, but the current reports center on personal grief rather than physical condition or club performance. No further comments from Messi or his representatives have been cited in the material available.
What to watch next: Whether Messi issues a public statement or makes a formal decision about his playing future in the coming weeks.
