Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has offered a public message of support to Lionel Messi following the passing of Messi’s father and longtime manager, Jorge Messi.
The tragedy occurred after a prolonged illness, prompting the Inter Miami forward to share an emotional tribute honoring his father’s foundational role in his life and career.
In his message, the Argentine captain reflected on the deep bond they shared and expressed the profound grief of navigating life without his primary anchor:
“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 so hard to imagine that I won’t see you again, that we won’t talk anymore.”
Reaching out directly to offer solidarity, Ronaldo posted a supportive comment acknowledging their shared history and mutual respect:
“A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.”
Messi, in an emotional statement following his father’s death, revealed how Jorge’s deteriorating health had weighed heavily on him throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Dad, you kept asking me to play in one last World Cup… just days before it began was when your condition got worse,” Messi wrote.
The Argentina captain said it was the first major tournament his father was unable to attend. Messi recalled being told by his mother that Jorge could recover sufficiently to travel, prompting him to make reaching the World Cup final a personal mission.
“After every match, I waited for and missed your message. That’s when I realised how serious the situation really was,” Messi wrote.
Messi said he continued hoping that Argentina could stay in the competition long enough to give his father the opportunity to watch him play.
Argentina eventually reached the final but were beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra time. Messi revealed that he desperately wanted to lift another World Cup trophy and take it home to his father.
“We reached the final, but you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you another one. I couldn’t,” Messi said.
‘My legs just couldn’t give me any more’
Messi also opened up about the physical difficulties he experienced during the tournament, saying he tried to push his body beyond its limits.
“My legs just couldn’t give me any more. This time I tried to push beyond what my body could handle, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel physically right,” he wrote.
Despite Argentina missing out on the title, Messi said his father had ultimately been right in encouraging him to play one more World Cup.
“We didn’t become champions Dad, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play in it… as you told me, always.”