What comes next for Messi after a cruel summer?

The 2026 World Cup ended with Argentina losing the final to Spain. Soon after, Lionel Messi returned to Rosario, where he suffered a far greater loss with the death of his father, Jorge.

Now, at 39, Messi's future in football is suddenly less certain.

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A recent report by The Athletic has shed more light on what Messi has been going through since Argentina's 1-0 defeat by Spain in the World Cup final. The report paints a picture of a player dealing with a painful period while still trying to carry on with football.

And that is perhaps the biggest question now: what does Messi want to do next?

Messi did not immediately return to Argentina with the rest of the squad after the World Cup final. He eventually went back to Rosario, where he was seen watching a low-level local match just days after the defeat.

It was a very different setting from the World Cup final in New Jersey.

Instead of playing in front of a huge global audience, Messi was sitting among ordinary supporters at a small stadium near his home. Football, as it has done throughout his life, was still there.

But things were about to get much harder.

Jorge Messi died on August 8, aged 68.

Messi's father had been one of the most important people in his football journey, from his early days in Rosario to the move to Barcelona that changed his life.

After his death, Messi admitted that he was unsure how much longer he would continue playing. That was significant.

For years, Messi's future has been discussed almost entirely in terms of trophies, contracts and performances. Now the question is more personal. Does he still want the demands that come with being Messi?

For now, the answer appears to be yes.

Messi returned to action for Inter Miami after the World Cup and continued playing following his father's death. He has also scored since returning.

That does not mean his future is settled.

Inter Miami have struggled for consistency, and the club have now appointed Cristian 'Kily' González as their new head coach. The former Argentina international will be tasked with getting more from a team built around Messi and other experienced stars.

For Miami, keeping Messi motivated will be just as important as keeping him fit.

The Argentine remains capable of deciding games, but he is now 39. He cannot be expected to carry the team every week in the way he once did.

If Messi continues through the remainder of his contract, Miami need to build a team that helps him rather than simply relying on him.

But what about Argentina? That is the bigger question.

Messi's international future was already uncertain before the World Cup. After reaching another final at 39, he could decide that this is the right time to step away.

If he does, Argentina will have to start planning for life without the player who has been at the centre of the national team for almost two decades.

There are players ready to take on bigger roles. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez can lead the attack, while younger players will eventually be asked to carry more responsibility.

But replacing Messi is not as simple as replacing a striker.

Argentina's entire way of playing has been shaped around him. His ability to create chances, control games and produce something from nothing has been central to their success.

Then there is Lionel Scaloni.

The Argentina coach's own future is uncertain, meaning the country's next international cycle could be heading for a major change if both Scaloni and Messi decide to leave.

Messi, however, does not need to make a decision immediately.

He has already achieved almost everything possible in football. He won the World Cup, Copa America and Champions League, and has eight Ballon d'Or awards.

His current contract with Inter Miami runs until 2028, giving him room to decide what he wants.

The important thing is that he still appears to want to play, even after a summer in which football has brought both disappointment and comfort.

But nobody can say how long that will last.

Messi has spent his life chasing the next match and the next trophy. At 39, after losing his father and suffering another World Cup final defeat, the question is no longer whether he has something left to prove. He doesn't. It is whether he still wants to play.

For now, Messi is still on the pitch. And for football fans, that may be enough.