Lionel Messi has spoken publicly for the first time since the death of his father, Jorge, who passed away on Friday evening in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68 after a long illness. In a brief statement, Messi said: "Te amo [I love you], pa."
Messi thanks fans for support
In a longer message, Messi expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. "I want to sincerely thank everyone for the love, respect, and immense consideration you showed my family and me during this painful time following my father's passing," he wrote. "Thank you for being there for us, for every message, every gesture, and above all, for respecting our grief and our privacy."
His great rival Cristiano Ronaldo also offered condolences, writing: "A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength." David Beckham, owner of Inter Miami where Messi now plays, added: "We are with you and your family, Leo, always."
Heartfelt letter to his father
Messi posted a heartfelt letter to his father, recalling their close relationship and the pain of his loss. "Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone," he wrote. "It hasn’t sunk in, or rather, I don’t want it to sink in. It’s very hard for me to imagine that I won’t see you anymore, that we won’t talk anymore. I know you were suffering and that it’s for the best, but you left way too soon. We still had so much left to enjoy together."
He spoke of the last World Cup, during which his father's health deteriorated. "You asked me so much to play in this last World Cup, and a few days before it started was when you got worse," Messi wrote. "It was the first time you weren't going to be at a tournament, but Mom kept telling me you were going to get better and that you’d be well enough to travel. I kept telling you we were going to reach the final so you could make the trip."
Messi described waiting for his father's messages after matches and his determination to reach the final to give him time. "We made it to the final, but you couldn't be there," he wrote. "I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one. I couldn't—my legs just gave out."
Father's role in Messi's career
Jorge Messi had served as his son's agent since he was 14 and was key to his move to Barcelona. He remained a constant support throughout Messi's rise to become one of the greatest players in history. Jorge supported local club Newell's Old Boys, and Messi joined the club at age seven. The family moved to Spain in February 2001 when Messi was signed by Barcelona at 13. Messi's mother and three siblings returned to Rosario, but his father stayed with him in Barcelona.
In his letter, Messi reflected on his father's guidance: "You were a father, a friend, and an agent. You were always the person you needed to be in every moment, and you were never wrong about anything." He added: "I’m going to miss you so much, but you will always be present, especially in how I raise my kids, because I teach and educate them the same way you both raised me."
Newell's Old Boys paid tribute on social media, saying: "Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini." The club added: "His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas [youth academy] to the pinnacle of world football glory."
