Messi Weighs His Future After Father's Death

Lionel Messi has said he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing soccer, following the death of his father, Jorge, last week. Jorge Messi died at 68 after a long illness at a clinic in Rosario, Argentina.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without you. I don't know how to move forward. I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I'm going to keep doing it for much longer", the 39-year-old Argentine wrote on Instagram.

Jorge Messi supported his son throughout his career, from his early days at Barcelona, and also served as his agent for several years.

The Argentina captain said he played in the last World Cup at his father's request, after Jorge's health deteriorated just days before the tournament began. Argentina lost to Spain in the final after extra time.

The Inter Miami forward also said he wants to honor his father's memory as he raises his own children. " I will teach them and raise them the way you raised me", he wrote.

(Reuters, bak)