Tragedy Strikes Messi: Father Jorge Passes Away at 68

Jorge Messi, the father and long-time representative of Argentina's esteemed captain Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68. He died at a sanatorium in Rosario, Argentina, on Friday at approximately 10pm, following a prolonged illness. The news of his death was confirmed by Argentine news outlet Infobae on Saturday.

Jorge Messi played an undeniably pivotal role in his son Lionel's extraordinary ascent from the youth ranks of Newell’s Old Boys to achieving global football stardom. One of his most crucial actions was orchestrating Lionel’s move to Barcelona when his son was just 13 years old. This move was particularly significant as Jorge was instrumental in securing essential growth hormone treatment for Lionel in Spain, which was vital for his development.

During Lionel's challenging initial years in Europe, Jorge remained steadfastly by his son's side while the rest of the family stayed in Argentina. Lionel Messi himself recalled a poignant moment when his father asked if he wished to continue pursuing his dream in Spain or return home. Lionel's decision to persevere was met with his father's unwavering support, as Messi recounted, “I wanted to continue and he stayed with me.” Beyond his personal support, Jorge also managed his son’s commercial affairs, though he largely preferred to avoid the public spotlight.

Jorge Messi's health had become a subject of public attention, particularly during the 2026 World Cup when Lionel became visibly emotional after Argentina’s opening match. At that time, the family had indicated that Jorge was recovering. He is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol.