Emotional Tribute to Father
Lionel Messi has expressed doubts about continuing his football career following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Jorge passed away last week at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, after a long illness. Messi shared an emotional tribute on social media, reflecting on his father’s constant presence throughout his career.
In his message, Messi wrote about the difficulty of moving forward without his father, stating, “I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much longer.” He also mentioned his father’s support from the beginning of his journey, including his early years at Barcelona, where Jorge served as his representative for several years.
Messi, who is 39 years old, revealed that playing in the recent World Cup, where Argentina finished as runners-up to Spain after an extra-time loss in the final, was a wish of his father. He noted that his father’s health had worsened shortly before the tournament, marking the first time Jorge would not be present at a major competition. Messi recalled waiting for his father’s messages after each match, which helped him realise the gravity of the situation.
During the World Cup, Messi experienced mixed emotions, including tears after scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria. He later attributed these emotions to “something unrelated to football,” citing “difficult, complicated days.” Messi also conveyed his desire to win the final for his father but admitted to lacking the energy to secure a second World Cup title. He described pushing himself beyond physical limits but feeling unwell throughout the tournament.
Career Highlights and Future Considerations
Despite his grief, the Inter Miami forward has pledged to honour his father’s memory through the upbringing of his own children. He stated, “I’m going to miss you so much, but you will always be present, especially in the upbringing of my children, because I will teach them and raise them the way you raised me.”
Messi’s career has been marked by numerous achievements. His first career hat-trick occurred in an El Clasico match against Real Madrid in March 2007, where he scored all of Barcelona’s goals in a 3-3 draw. This performance at the Camp Nou included a last-minute finish that helped establish him as a prominent figure in football.
Just over a month later, in April 2007, Messi scored a notable solo goal against Getafe in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg. This goal, which saw him dribble past several defenders from his own half, drew comparisons to a famous goal by Diego Maradona.
Messi also made an impact in the Champions League, scoring in his first final against Manchester United in 2009. He would later score in another final victory against the same opponent two years later, contributing to his collection of Champions League winners’ medals. In 2010, he scored four goals against Arsenal in a Champions League quarter-final, including a chip over the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick. He also scored five goals against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.
In March 2012, Messi broke Barcelona’s goalscoring record with a hat-trick in a 5-3 victory over Granada, surpassing a record that had stood for 60 years. By the time he left Barcelona in 2021, he had extended this record. In 2012, he achieved a record 91 goals in a calendar year for club and country, earning him a place in the Guinness Book of Records and his fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or.
Messi also became the top scorer in La Liga’s history in November 2014, scoring three goals in a 5-1 win over Sevilla. He surpassed a record set in 1955 and eventually accumulated 474 goals in the league. His 500th Barcelona goal came in an El Clasico match against Real Madrid in April 2017, an injury-time winner that sent his side to the top of the table.
His 21-year tenure at Barcelona ended in August 2021, when he left on a free transfer due to the club’s inability to afford a new contract under salary limits. He subsequently joined Paris St-Germain. Messi achieved his first senior international trophy with Argentina in July 2021, winning the Copa America against Brazil. He secured a second Copa America three years later. His career also includes a World Cup triumph in 2022, where he was named player of the tournament, scoring seven goals.
Messi has continued to accumulate accolades, winning two more Ballon d’Or awards after leaving Barcelona, bringing his total to eight. His most recent award in October 2023 followed his World Cup victory and his role in Inter Miami’s first trophy, the Leagues Cup. He holds the record for most World Cup goals with 21, though this tally was later surpassed by Kylian Mbappé.
Source: rnz.co.nz
