Key Takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message of support to Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge Messi
- Jorge Messi was a central figure in Lionel's life and career, serving as his agent and emotional anchor
- Messi has expressed grief and uncertainty about his future in football
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a heartfelt message of support to Lionel Messi following the death of the Argentine’s father, Jorge Messi. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldo wrote: “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo Stay strong.”
The message comes days after Messi bid farewell to his father, who passed away at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer. Jorge Messi had been a central figure in his son’s life and career, serving as his agent and emotional anchor since childhood. He left his job and family in Argentina in 2000 to accompany the then-13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona for treatment of a growth hormone deficiency and to support his early career.
Background and Career
In a social media post, the 39-year-old Inter Miami forward expressed deep grief and revealed he has “serious doubts” about continuing to play football for much longer. He reflected on his father’s absence during the 2026 World Cup, noting that Jorge’s health had deteriorated just days before the tournament began. Messi said he had hoped to reach the final so his father could travel to watch, but Jorge was unable to attend.
Argentina reached the final but lost 1-0 to Spain in New Jersey. Messi scored eight goals during the tournament and returned to the United States on Tuesday night after attending a private funeral on Sunday in Perez, near Rosario, with close family and a few Argentina teammates.
Mutual Respect
Messi described his father as “a father, a friend, and an agent” who “never put a foot wrong”. Despite their long-standing rivalry on the pitch, Ronaldo’s message has been widely noted as another example of the mutual respect between the two football legends.
Why This Matters
The outpouring of support from Cristiano Ronaldo underscores the deep camaraderie and admiration that exists between the two football icons, setting aside their on-field competition in a moment of personal loss and grief. This heartfelt gesture highlights the enduring power of friendship and solidarity in the football community.