Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has paid tribute to his father Jorge Messi, who died last weekend at age 68 after an unspecified illness. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Messi called him "my dad, my friend and my agent" and said, "Dad, I still can't believe you have gone."

Jorge Messi relocated to Barcelona when Lionel was 13 to support his son's career, remaining by his side as he won the Ballon d'Or eight times and led Argentina to World Cup glory. However, as his health worsened this year, he could not attend the summer World Cup in North America, where Argentina lost to Spain in the final.

Messi wrote: "I told you we would reach the final so you could come… You could not be there. I wanted to win it to bring it home and show you again. I couldn't, my legs had nothing left to give." He added, "I don't know what I will do without you."

Cristiano Ronaldo offered support, commenting, "A huge hug to you and yours, Leo." Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos said there is no timetable for Messi's return to action.