Amidst one of the most challenging times in his life, Lionel Messi found solace in an unexpected place. His long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, reached out with a heartfelt condolence message on Instagram after the Argentine star penned an emotional tribute to his deceased father.
Messi shared a poignant farewell to Jorge Messi, who passed away last Saturday at the age of 68 in Rosario's Sanatorio Centro.
Among the flood of comments that poured in within minutes, Cristiano's message stood out prominently. The Portuguese icon wrote, "Sending a big hug to you and your family during these tough times, Leo. Stay strong."
This touching gesture gained significant attention. Ronaldo's message quickly became the most liked comment on the post, amassing over a million likes and 14,136 responses, far surpassing others.
David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami and a close friend of Messi, also offered his support: "We're with you and your family, Leo, always @leomessi." Meanwhile, Neymar expressed his solidarity, stating, "Stay strong for you and your family. Big hug."
Messi's Emotional Farewell Sparks Speculation
Messi's letter resonated deeply within the sports world, not only for its emotional depth but also due to a revelation that cast uncertainty over the future of the 39-year-old icon. He wrote, "I don't know what I'll do without you, I don't know how to go on. I just played football and now I have serious doubts about continuing for much longer."
In his post, Messi bid farewell to his father with words that encapsulate a lifetime of shared moments: "You were a father, friend, and agent. You were always the person you needed to be at every moment and never made a mistake."
Jorge Messi was unable to attend his son's last World Cup—the first tournament he missed—due to his declining health. Argentina reached the final on July 19 at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, where they lost to Spain 1-0 in extra time. He passed away just three weeks later.
The post garnered over 9 million likes, nearly 500,000 comments, and 470,000 shares within hours. Messi also expressed his gratitude in a story: "I want to sincerely thank everyone for the love, respect, and immense consideration shown to me and my family during this painful time."
Key Moments in Messi's Tribute
What was Cristiano Ronaldo's message to Messi?
Cristiano Ronaldo sent a compassionate message to Messi, saying, "Sending a big hug to you and your family during these tough times, Leo. Stay strong."
How did Messi express his emotions about his father's death?
Messi wrote an emotional farewell to his father, expressing uncertainty about his future in football and reflecting on their lifelong relationship.
Who else supported Messi publicly?
David Beckham and Neymar also expressed their support for Messi and his family during this difficult time.