Lionel Messi hints at retirement decision as David Beckham sends public message

Aug 12, 2026 - 15:30

Lionel Messi has hinted towards a potential retirement from football in an emotional statement following his father’s death.

It was announced last week that Jorge Messi had tragically passed away at the age of 68 following a battle with illness.

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup trophy during the World Champions’ celebrations after an international friendly match between Argentina and Panama at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on March 23, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. — Messi could be coming to the end of an iconic career

Lionel Messi and his late father Jorge. — He paid tribute to his late father in an emotional post

His son, one of football’s greatest ever players, has now paid tribute on social media in a moving post.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” Messi said on Instagram.

“I don’t know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer.”

A number of football’s biggest names sent their condolences, with David Beckham, his Inter Miami boss, among them.

“We are with you and your family, Leo, always,” he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo also sent his wishes as he commented: “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Lionel… stay strong.”

Messi’s sponsors adidas showed their support too, as did tennis star Carlos Alcaraz.

Could Messi retire soon?

Messi’s Argentina teammate Leandro Paredes hinted that the World Cup final could be the icon’s last appearance for his country.

Messi statement in full

Translated from Instagram

“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It hasn’t sunk in—or rather, I don’t want it to sink in. It’s hard to imagine that I won’t see you anymore, that we won’t talk again. I know you were suffering and that this is for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much left to enjoy together.

“You kept asking me to play in that last World Cup, but just days before it started, your condition took a turn for the worse. It was the first time you wouldn’t be there for a tournament, though Mom kept telling me you’d improve and be well enough to travel. I used to tell you we’d make it to the final so you could come.

“After every match, I’d wait for—and miss—your message. That’s when I realised how serious the situation really was. Even so, I kept thinking about going as far as possible, just to buy time so you could watch a game. We made it to the final, but you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it so I could bring it to you and show you a new trophy. I couldn’t do it; my legs just gave out. This time, I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I just never felt right.

“When I arrived, you thought we had lost the final on penalties. We couldn’t talk about anything that had happened. You couldn’t enjoy any of it. We didn’t become champions, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play.

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