Father of soccer star Lionel Messi dies at 68 in Argentina

Jorge Messi, the father of global football icon Lionel Messi, died on Friday night at the age of 68. His family confirmed his passing to Reuters, stating he died at a medical clinic in the Argentine city of Rosario after a long illness.

During his final months, Jorge Messi divided his time between a medical center in Rosario and his home. He was accompanied by his wife, Celia, and their children, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol. Lionel Messi had spent time with his father following the World Cup before rejoining his club, Inter Miami, for whom he recently returned to action.

Jorge Messi was a steadfast presence throughout his son's career, offering crucial support from Lionel's early days at Barcelona. For several years, he also served as his son's representative. Lionel Messi himself has spoken about his father's deep influence, previously stating, "I always needed my dad's approval, ever since I was a kid. After every match, I'd ask him what he thought of how I played."

During the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi experienced a range of emotions, including tears after scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria. He later clarified at a press conference that his tears were related to "something unrelated to football" and stemmed from "a few difficult, complicated days." The family had previously issued a statement regarding Jorge's health, informing the public that he was undergoing medical treatment.

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I always needed my dad's approval, ever since I was a kid. After every match, I'd ask him what he thought of how I played.