Now Reading: Messi hints at retirement after father Jorge’s death aged 68
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Messi hints at retirement after father Jorge’s death aged 68
Lionel Messi says he has “serious doubts” about playing much longer after the death of his father, Jorge, at 68. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner shared the message after his father's funeral…
The Story in Brief
Lionel Messi says he has “serious doubts” about playing much longer after the death of his father, Jorge, at 68. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner shared the message after his father's funeral in Perez, Argentina, last week. Jorge Messi had reportedly been battling cancer.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward revealed the emotional toll during the 2026 World Cup, where his father could not attend matches. Messi scored eight goals and led Argentina to the final, which they lost 1-0 to Spain. He said his father's absence from the stands and the lack of post-match messages made him realise the severity of the illness. Jorge Messi had moved with a 13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona in 2000 and served as his agent throughout his career, overseeing moves to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, where Messi is contracted until 2028.
The Indian Opinion
The coverage has slipped into hagiography, treating Messi's grief as an open-ended license to sentimentalism. Yes, the man is hurting, but a player with a 2028 contract who just scored eight goals in a World Cup run is not one foot out the door. The lazy narrative wants a tragic curtain call, while the concrete fact is Inter Miami's schedule next season. Watch how the club responds to any formal retirement request. That will settle whether this is a genuine farewell or a grieving man's words blown into headlines.
Source: english.mathrubhumi.com
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