Messi reveals late father urged him to play in final World Cup

Lionel Messi has revealed that his late father, Jorge, insisted he participate in his final World Cup tournament. In a written statement released on Tuesday, August 12, Messi explained that Jorge encouraged him to play even as his health deteriorated in the weeks leading up to the competition.

Jorge Messi died at the age of 68 on Friday, August 7, 2026, in Rosario, Argentina. He had been managing a long-term illness, spending his final months at a medical centre and his home in Rosario. His wife, Celia, and his children, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, were present during his final period.

Messi described the emotional difficulty of playing matches while waiting for messages from his father that did not arrive. During the tournament, the footballer set a personal goal to reach the final, hoping his father would recover enough to travel and watch him play. While Argentina reached the final, Jorge was unable to attend.

Beyond his role as a parent, Jorge served as Lionel Messi's agent and adviser for many years. He was a central figure in the player's career, guiding him from his early days in Rosario to international success. Messi noted that he wanted to win the trophy to bring it home to his father.

Following the news of his death, Lionel Messi traveled from the United States to Argentina for a private burial in Rosario on Sunday, August 9. Football clubs and organizations across Argentina, including Messi's former club Newell's Old Boys, have offered condolences, and moments of silence were held at various matches.