​A World Cup commentator and former soccer star has shared that he learned of his father’s death moments before he went on air for the England v Argentina game on Wednesday, July 15Micah Richards, who played for England and Manchester City, paid tribute to his dad and “hero” in a touching tribute on Instagram shortly after the semifinal matchup“Dad would’ve wanted the show to go on,” the 38-year-old explained of his decision to go on air with the BBC as plannedA World Cup commentator and former soccer star has shared that he found out about his father’s death moments before he went on air for the England v Argentina semifinal game.Former England player Micah Richards was one of the BBC’s analysts for the matchup on Wednesday, July 15, which Argentina won 2-1 to set up a meeting with Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementShortly after the game finished, the 38-year-old revealed the loss of his father and “hero” in an emotional Instagram post.“Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away,” he wrote alongside a throwback photo. “His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon.”Micah Richards on ‘The Rest Is Football’Credit: Clifton Prescod/NETFLIXRichards described Lincoln as his “greatest fan” and someone who supported him through his own soccer career in the moving message.“He barely missed a game my entire life,” he said. “He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career.”Richards, who has featured in the BBC’s coverage throughout the tournament and also co-hosts Netflix‘s The Rest Is Football and CBS Sports’ soccer coverage, explained that he decided to go on air as planned because “Dad would’ve wanted the show to go on.”Micah Richards, Harry Maguire and Gary Lineker on ‘The Rest Is Football’Credit: Clifton Prescod/NETFLIXHe said, “I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe finished his post by calling Lincoln his “hero and inspiration.”Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE’s free sports newsletter — sign up now!The former Manchester City defender has previously spoken about his father’s influence on his life and career. In 2007, when he was 19, he told the BBC that Lincoln “kept me grounded” while growing up.“You go through a lot of changes and you can get led down the wrong path,” he said of being a teenager, “But my dad kept my head right and told me to go for my dreams, which is what I am doing now.”Read the original article on People