Lionel Messi’s future in football has become uncertain after a painful summer marked by Argentina’s World Cup final defeat and the death of his father, Jorge Messi.

At 39, Messi returned to Rosario following Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Days later, he suffered the personal tragedy of losing his father, who had been instrumental in his career from his early days in Rosario to his move to Barcelona.

Despite the setback, Messi resumed playing for Inter Miami, where he has already scored since returning. However, questions remain about how long he will continue. Inter Miami, now under new head coach Cristian “Kily” González, face the challenge of keeping Messi motivated and building a team that supports him rather than relying solely on him.

Messi’s international future is even more uncertain. After reaching another World Cup final at 39, he may decide to step away from Argentina duty. If he does, the national team will need to reshape its playing identity, long centered around Messi’s creativity and influence. Coach Lionel Scaloni’s own future is also unclear, raising the possibility of a double transition for Argentina.

Messi’s legacy is already secure—he has won the World Cup, Copa América, Champions League, and eight Ballon d’Or awards. The question now is not whether he has more to prove, but whether he still wants to continue playing at the highest level.

For now, Messi remains on the pitch, offering football fans the chance to witness one of the game’s greatest players even as he navigates one of the most difficult periods of his life.