Lionel Messi's father and former agent dies at 68
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Jorge Horacio Messi, father and former agent of football star Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68.
- He had been battling an illness and passed away in a hospital in Rosario, Argentina.
- Jorge Messi played a pivotal role in his son's early career and contract with FC Barcelona.
Jorge Horacio Messi, the father and long-time agent of football superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. He passed away in a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, after a battle with illness.
Jorge was a pillar in making his son the greatest player of all time, with vision, rigor, and affection.
Jorge Messi had been instrumental in his son's career since Lionel was 14, acting as his agent. He moved with a young Lionel to Spain in 2001 when the player signed with FC Barcelona. Even after Lionel's mother returned to Rosario, Jorge remained in Barcelona to support his son's burgeoning football career.
We thank you for your dedication to our club and for entrusting us with the start and the most glorious times of Leo's football career.
His role was described as a pillar in shaping Lionel into the "greatest player of all time," alongside his wife Celia Cuccittini, according to a statement from Newell's Old Boys, Lionel's childhood club. FC Barcelona and the Argentinian Football Association also expressed their condolences, acknowledging Jorge's dedication and his crucial part in the "start and most glorious times" of Lionel's football journey.
We express our deepest condolences on the passing of the father of our captain and icon, and send our warm regards to his family.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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