Football icon Lionel Messi has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, describing his death as one of the most painful moments of his life and admitting that he is struggling to imagine a future without the man who guided him from childhood to global stardom.

Jorge Messi, who played a pivotal role in shaping and managing his son's illustrious football career, reportedly died on Saturday in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness.

Days after the loss, the Inter Miami captain and Argentine legend took to social media to share an emotional message that offered a rare glimpse into his grief and the deep bond he shared with his father.

In the touching tribute, Messi recalled how his father remained a constant source of support throughout his life, attending matches, offering advice and standing by him during both triumphs and setbacks.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that one of his greatest regrets was not being able to celebrate another World Cup journey with his father, whose health reportedly deteriorated shortly before the tournament.

Messi said he had hoped his father's condition would improve enough for him to attend the competition and witness another chapter of his football career.

Reflecting on that difficult period, the Argentine star revealed that after every match he found himself waiting for messages from his father, only to realise that his condition had become increasingly serious.

He said his determination to keep progressing in the tournament was partly driven by the hope that his father would recover and be able to watch him play again.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward also admitted that the loss has left him questioning his future in football.

According to him, his father had been by his side from the very beginning of his journey, making it difficult to accept that he would not be there to witness the final chapters of his career.

Messi described Jorge not only as a father but also as a trusted friend, adviser and representative who always seemed to know the right path to take.

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He recalled childhood memories of being taken to training sessions, watching his father sacrifice time and energy to support his dream of becoming a footballer.

Despite rarely offering lavish praise, Messi said his father celebrated every achievement quietly and endured every difficult moment with him.

The Argentine captain acknowledged that while they occasionally disagreed, his father's guidance consistently proved correct, reinforcing the immense respect he held for him.

Beyond football, Messi said the values his father instilled in him continue to shape the way he raises his own children, promising to keep his memory alive through the lessons passed down within the family.

The emotional message has triggered an outpouring of sympathy from football fans, teammates, former players and sporting figures around the world, many of whom praised the touching tribute and offered condolences to the Messi family.

Jorge Messi was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures behind the football superstar’s rise, overseeing key stages of his career from his early development in Argentina to his record-breaking success on the global stage.

His death marks the end of a remarkable father-son partnership that helped shape one of the greatest careers in football history.

For Messi, however, the loss goes far beyond football.

The Argentine legend’s words reflected the grief of a son mourning not just a mentor and adviser, but the man he described as his father, friend and lifelong companion.

“I love you, Dad,” Messi concluded in the emotional farewell, promising that his father’s presence would continue to live on through his family and the values he left behind.