Sport
CROSS-SPECTRUMBROAD COVERAGE
Lionel Messi mourns father Jorge Messi, questions his future on the pitch
Jorge Messi died at 68 after a long illness. Lionel Messi flew to Rosario with his wife and children to attend a private funeral. In a personal statement he described the pain of losing his father, praised his father's mentorship, and said he is uncertain how much longer he can continue playing football. Teammates and other figures in the sport have expressed sympathy, and the loss comes shortly after Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup final, a moment his father had hoped to see.
How this was covered
- Centrist coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The death of Messi's father and his doubts about playing could influence the future of one of football's biggest stars and affect his club and national team.
How this story developed
- Aug 8 Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi passes away at 68 in Rosario
- Aug 8 Reports differ on whether the Messi family released an official statement about Jorge’s condition.
- Aug 9 Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami's Leagues Cup game and the club held a minute's silence in his father's honor.
- Aug 9 A private funeral for Jorge Messi was held in Rosario.
- Aug 12 Messi said he is unsure how much longer he can keep playing football.
Related stories
2 in this thread