Christiano Ronaldo sends message to grieving Lionel Messi after father Jorge’s death
By Joel Masibo, August 12, 2026Portuguese football icon Christiano Ronaldo has sent a message of compassion to his long-term rival in the game Lionel Messi following the death of his father Jorge Messi in Rosario, Argentina on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Jorge died at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness.
In a sportsmanship gesture, Ronaldo reacted to Messi’s Instagram post on Tuesday, August 12, 2026, after the World Cup winner paid an emotional tribute to his late father Jorge.
“A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.” Ronaldo relied.
The Messi–Ronaldo rivalry is a defining 15-year football era featuring the two football greats. They won 13 Ballon d’Or awards combined, broke scoring records, and faced off intensely during El Clásico matches while playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Messi’s emotional tribute
On his part, Lionel Messi has opened up about the devastating loss of his father, Jorge Messi, in an emotional tribute that reflected on their close relationship and the role his father played throughout his football career.
Jorge was not only Messi’s father but also his longtime representative and one of the most influential figures in the Argentine star’s journey from childhood footballer to global icon.
In his heartfelt message, Messi admitted that he was struggling to accept his father’s death and described the difficulty of imagining life without him.
“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. I’m not breaking down, or rather, I don’t want to break down.”
The Inter Miami forward also acknowledged that Jorge had been suffering before his death, but said he felt his father had left the family far too soon.
“I know you were suffering and that this is for the best, but you left far too soon. We still had so much left to enjoy together.”
Messi reveals father’s World Cup wish
Messi’s tribute also offered a deeply personal account of the 2026 World Cup and how much his father’s condition affected him during the tournament.
According to Messi, Jorge had repeatedly encouraged him to play in what became his final World Cup. However, his father’s health deteriorated shortly before the competition began.
Messi said his mother continued to give him hope that Jorge would recover sufficiently to travel and watch him play.
“I told you that we were going to reach the final so that you could travel.”
Messi revealed that after every match, he would instinctively wait for a message from his father. Eventually, the absence of those messages made him realize how serious Jorge’s condition had become.
“Every time a match ended, I would wait for and miss your message.”
Argentina eventually reached the World Cup final, but Jorge was unable to attend. Messi said he wanted to win the tournament for his father and bring him a new title to celebrate.
The Argentine captain acknowledged that he could not give everything physically in the final, saying his body ultimately prevented him from pushing any further.
“My legs couldn’t go on anymore. This time I tried to push myself physically, but I couldn’t.”
Jorge was more than Messi’s representative
Messi’s tribute went beyond football, highlighting the important role Jorge played from his earliest days in the sport.
He recalled how his father would take him to training sessions after returning from work and rarely missed his son’s matches.
Messi described Jorge as his father, friend and representative, emphasizing that his influence extended far beyond his professional career.
“You were my dad, my friend and my representative.”
Jorge was a central figure in managing Messi’s career from his formative years, making his death a deeply personal loss for the football superstar.
Messi questions his future in football
The emotional tribute also revealed the extent of Messi’s grief, with the 39-year-old admitting that he now has doubts about continuing his playing career.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to go on.”
Messi said football had been his life for as long as he could remember, but losing the person who had accompanied him throughout that journey has left him questioning what comes next.
He also reflected on his father’s happiness at watching him play, particularly when Jorge could do so without drawing attention from others.
Despite the pain of his loss, Messi said his father’s influence would continue through the way he raises his own children.
“You will always be present, especially in the upbringing of my children, because I teach and raise them the way you raised me.”
Messi concluded his tribute with a farewell to the man who had been beside him throughout his remarkable career.
“Rest in peace and watch over us from above, just as you did here. Thank you for everything.”