Messi reveals the emotional story behind his father ’s final World Cup wish

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has shared an emotional tribute to his late father, revealing how his father’s wish for him to play in one more World Cup motivated him during the tournament.

Messi said his father had repeatedly encouraged him to take part in another World Cup, but his health condition worsened just days before the competition began, making it the first major tournament he would miss.

“It was the first time you weren’t going to be there with me at a tournament, but Mom kept telling me you were going to get better and that you’d be well enough to travel,” Messi recalled.

The football star said he kept believing Argentina would reach the final so his father could watch him play, describing it as his personal mission throughout the tournament.

“After every match, I waited for and missed your message. That’s when I realised how serious the situation really was,” Messi said.

Messi explained that he pushed himself to go as far as possible because he wanted to give his father more time and the opportunity to witness one of his matches.

Argentina eventually reached the World Cup final, but Messi’s father could not be there. The forward admitted he wanted to win the trophy and take it home to him, but his body could not go any further.

“My legs just couldn’t give me any more. This time, I tried to push beyond what my body could handle, but I couldn’t,” he said.

Although Argentina did not win the final, Messi said the journey was still special and reminded him that his father was right to encourage him to play.

“We didn’t become champions, Dad, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play in it… as you told me, always,” Messi added.