{
  "id": 676109,
  "title": "I doubt I’ll keep playing football without you, Messi mourns father",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/i-doubt-ill-keep-playing-football-without-you-messi-mourns-father",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T15:46:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/i-doubt-ill-keep-playing-football-without-you-messi-mourns-father/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi, the Argentine football captain, has publicly expressed his distress over the loss of his father, Jorge Messi, via an emotional message on his Instagram account. Messi, who is currently playing for Inter Miami, mourned the loss of his father in a heartfelt tribute accompanied by a picture of them together. In his message, Messi shared how much his father wanted him to participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, and how his father's health deteriorated shortly before the tournament began. Messi recalled how his father initially thought Argentina lost the final on penalties, and how he had hoped to win the trophy so he could show it to his father. The football star also revealed that he had been waiting for messages from his father after each Argentina match, and that he could not stop thinking about playing as many matches as possible so his father could watch them. Messi admitted that the loss of his father had left him uncertain about his future in football, and that he had serious doubts about whether he would continue playing. Messi concluded his tribute by thanking his father for his unwavering support throughout his career, and by expressing his love for his dad.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi expresses profound grief over his father Jorge’s death, casting doubt on his football career. Read his emotional tribute and future uncertaint Read More: https://punchng.com/i-doubt-ill-keep-playing-football-without-you-messi-mourns-father/",
  "key_points": [
    "Lionel Messi mourns father Jorge Messi's death on Instagram",
    "Father wanted Messi to play in 2026 FIFA World Cup",
    "Messi doubts continuing football career without father"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "I doubt I’ll keep playing football without you, Messi mourns father",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/i-doubt-ill-keep-playing-football-without-you-messi-mourns-father-677626",
        "published": "2026-08-12T16:02:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Messi doubts playing 'for much longer' after father's death",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/messi-doubts-playing-for-much-longer-after-fathers-death",
        "published": "2026-08-12T21:03:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}