Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the Portugal national team, has expressed his condolences to Lionel Messi in the wake of the passing of Messi’s father, Jorge Messi. Jorge Messi, a significant figure in Lionel’s life and career, died after a long illness.
In an emotional tribute, Messi reflected on the deep bond he shared with his father, describing the profound grief he feels at the loss: “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.”
Ronaldo reached out to Messi with a supportive comment, acknowledging their shared experiences and mutual respect: “A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.”
As Messi mourns, he also recalled how his father’s deteriorating health impacted his performance during the recent FIFA World Cup. Messi shared that his father had always encouraged him to compete in one last World Cup, a request he held close as the tournament approached amidst Jorge’s worsening condition.
Despite Argentina reaching the finals, they ultimately lost to Spain, and Messi expressed his regret that his father could not witness the match: “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 also discussed the physical challenges he faced during the tournament, admitting he struggled to perform at his best. Even so, he acknowledged his father’s guidance, stating, “We didn’t become champions Dad, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match.”
