Jorge Messi, the father of soccer star Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68. His family confirmed that the football agent died at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness. Jorge Messi spent his final months moving between the medical center and his home, accompanied by his wife Celia and his other children, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol.
The news comes weeks after the family publicly addressed Jorge Messi’s health during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At that time, they confirmed he was undergoing medical monitoring for a health issue and was “recovering and progressing favorably.” It remains unclear if his passing was directly related to those previously reported health issues.
Tributes from the football community
Tributes have been shared across the soccer world following the announcement. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) expressed its “sadness and regret” at the passing of Jorge Messi, describing him as the father of their captain and emblem, Lionel Messi. The AFA stated, “From here, we stand in solidarity with the entire family during this difficult time and send the most heartfelt, warm, and affectionate embrace. Strength to you all.”
The AFA also declared that a minute of silence would be observed at matches across all of Argentina’s divisions. Players, coaches, and referees will wear black armbands as a mark of respect. The Argentine national team conveyed its support to the Messi family with a message accompanied by an image reading “Fuerza Leo,” stating, “We are with you in this difficult moment. We send you our most heartfelt hug.”
Newell’s Old Boys, the Rosario-based club where Lionel Messi played as a youth before moving to Europe, also confirmed the passing. The club paid tribute on social media, recognizing Jorge as a “renowned leproso fan,” businessman, and father of the captain of the Argentine national team. They highlighted his role as the “support and the person who underpinned with vision, rigor and affection the career of the best player of all time along with his wife, Celia Cuccittini.”
The club further added, “His constant accompaniment and leadership behind the scenes were fundamental to supporting Lionel’s every step, from his beginnings in Malvinas to the maximum glory of world football. Thank you for teaching him to love these colors.”
Jorge Messi’s enduring influence
Jorge Messi was a foundational figure in his son Lionel’s football career, supporting him from his early years at Barcelona. For several years, he served as Lionel’s representative and business manager, guiding him through significant chapters of his journey.
This included Lionel’s time with Barcelona, his subsequent transfers to PSG and Inter Miami, and his experiences with the Argentine national team over more than 20 years. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also sent messages of support and condolences to Lionel and his family.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), for which Lionel Messi is a goodwill ambassador, extended its condolences. UNICEF described Jorge Messi as “a person always committed to the rights of boys and girls and a benefactor of UNICEF.”
Lionel Messi spent time with his father after the World Cup before rejoining his club, Inter Miami, where he returned to action a week ago. During the World Cup, Lionel experienced mixed emotions, breaking down in tears after scoring a hat trick in the opening match against Algeria. He later explained at a press conference that his tears were due to “something unrelated to football” after going through “a few difficult, complicated days.”
Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.