The claim is true because multiple reports published on August 12, 2026, say Lionel Messi expressed serious uncertainty about continuing his soccer career after the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi.
True
Lionel Messi says he has serious doubts about continuing his soccer career after the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi.
Lionel Messi has ‘quite a few doubts’ about football future after death of his father - Lionel Messi | The Guardian
Source: theguardian.com
At a glance
Verified August 12, 2026Key Evidence
The Guardian and The Athletic report that Messi questioned whether his playing career would continue for much longer.
The Associated Press and CNN connect those doubts to an emotional tribute following Jorge Messi’s death.
Sky Sports and several other outlets likewise report that Jorge was Messi’s longtime agent and that the comments suggested possible retirement, although no formal retirement announcement is identified.
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
The available evidence consistently supports the claim’s central points:
- Lionel Messi reportedly said he has substantial doubts about how much longer he will continue playing soccer.
- The comments followed the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who was also his longtime agent and a major figure in his career.
- The Guardian, The Athletic, Sky Sports, The Associated Press, CNN, Daily Sabah, The Peninsula Qatar, and Vanguard News all describe Messi as expressing uncertainty about his playing future.
The wording varies by publication. Some reports describe the comments as doubts about continuing for much longer, while Sky Sports characterizes them as a hint at retirement. However, the reports do not establish that Messi has officially announced his retirement. The evidence supports uncertainty about his future, not a confirmed decision to stop playing.
Primary trail
Verified Sources10
Open source