Messi unsure he will play 'much longer' after father's death

Following the death of his father, Jorge, Lionel Messi has publicly addressed the impact of the loss on his professional career. In the wake of this tribute, Messi has expressed significant doubts regarding his immediate trajectory in professional football. Coverage from The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC reports that he is unsure if his playing career will extend for much longer.

The sentiment is echoed across international media, with outlets including Al Jazeera, Sky Sports, and ESPN noting his explicit uncertainty about his future. Reporting from USA Today and the New York Post highlights the emotional nature of his public letter, which addresses the difficulty of continuing under current circumstances. These accounts emphasize his statement that he has “quite a few doubts” about his next steps.

Coverage does not yet specify whether Messi intends to request a leave of absence or step away from active play entirely. Future updates will depend on direct announcements from the player or his representatives regarding his participation in upcoming matches.