{
  "id": 677626,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T16:02:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/i-doubt-ill-keep-playing-football-without-you-messi-mourns-father/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi has publicly grieved the loss of his father, Jorge Messi, expressing uncertainty over his football career without his father's presence. The Argentina captain shared a heartfelt Instagram post and photograph of them, mourning the loss of his father who passed away at 68 following a prolonged illness. Messi recalled his father's constant support in his career, including helping him secure medical treatment for growth hormone deficiency and facilitating his move to Barcelona at age 13. He shared emotional memories of their time together, including his father's belief that Argentina had lost the 2022 World Cup final on penalties, and his regret at not being able to win the trophy to show his father. Messi admitted he now doubts his future in football, stating he feels uncertain about continuing to play. He expressed his gratitude for his father's influence in his life and his plans to raise his own children in his father's manner.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-12T15:46:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}