Messi's mother recalls father's haunting words about retirement

Messi's mother recalls father's haunting words about retirement

Hours after Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, his mother Celia Cuccittini revealed the profound grief overwhelming the family, not just from losing the football legend's storied career, but from losing the man who helped build it.

"I'm still crying. Even though we already knew, the whole family is very sad, but the important thing is that he is happy," Celia told Argentine television programme Intrusos on America TV.

Then she shared something that made the moment unbearably poignant. She recalled a question her late husband Jorge Messi used to ask whenever he contemplated the inevitable end of their son's playing days.

"The father always used to say, 'What am I going to do when he doesn't play anymore?' And it all happened together. Incredible."

A Father's Legacy

Jorge Messi died on August 8 at age 68 following a prolonged illness. Born on April 24, 1958, he worked as a chemical technician and section manager at a steel manufacturing plant in Rosario before dedicating himself entirely to his son's career, becoming Lionel's official agent and business manager in the early 2000s.

Just 23 days after Jorge's death, Messi announced his own departure from the international stage, ending a 21-year career with Argentina that began when he made his debut at 18 in 2005.

The Weight of Private Grief

The timing revealed another layer of heartbreak. Messi disclosed that he had actually written his retirement message on July 21, just two days after Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored Spain's winner in the 106th minute of extra time.

For weeks, Messi carried the weight of that decision privately while publicly mourning his father. On August 12, he had published an emotional open letter on Instagram paying tribute to Jorge, revealing the toll of playing through the World Cup while his father's health deteriorated from a distance.

A Final Tournament

The 39-year-old's performance in that final tournament was extraordinary. He scored eight goals and provided four assists, carrying Argentina through the competition despite the personal anguish. Born on June 24, 1987, Messi had celebrated his 39th birthday during the group stage, making the World Cup a bittersweet farewell tournament.

Messi concludes his international career as Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances, having played in a record six World Cup tournaments. His 21 years in the Albiceleste jersey brought glory that eluded previous generations, including victories at the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2024 Copa América.

A Nation Mourns

The magnitude of Jorge's loss extended beyond the Messi family. Argentina's football federation ordered moments of silence at all matches across all categories and mandated that players, referees and coaching staff wear black armbands following his death, recognizing his significance to Argentine football.

Throughout Lionel's career, Jorge was far more than a father and agent. He was the architect behind the scenes, managing the business affairs and navigating the complexities of elite football. Their relationship transcended the typical parent-child dynamic, evolving into a professional partnership that shaped one of the greatest careers in football history.

Now, as Celia and the rest of the family process these twin losses, Jorge's question echoes with devastating clarity. He never had to find out what he would do when his son stopped playing. Instead, it was Lionel who must now answer a far more difficult question: what to do without the father who had been there for every step of an incomparable journey.