Lionel Messi's father and representative, Jorge Messi, dies at 68

Jorge Messi, the father and long-time representative of football icon Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. Infobae reported that Jorge passed away Friday night in Rosario, Argentina, following a lengthy illness.

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My old man was always by my side. We lived through many bad moments.

Jorge Messi was instrumental in shaping his son's legendary career. He was particularly vital in securing growth hormone therapy for a young Lionel when treatment in Argentina proved unsuccessful. This led to facilitating Lionel's move to Barcelona at the age of 13, a decision that would define his path to global superstardom.

During the challenging early years of Lionel's European journey, Jorge remained by his son's side in Spain. He recalled a pivotal moment when he asked a young Lionel if he wanted to continue pursuing his dream or return home. Lionel's desire to persevere, supported by his father's unwavering presence, became a defining moment in his career.

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My old man asked me, what do you want to do, do you want to continue or shall we go back? I wanted to continue and he stayed with me.

Beyond his role in managing Lionel's affairs and career negotiations, Jorge Messi largely stayed out of the public eye. However, in rare interviews, he expressed deep pride in his son, not just as a footballer but as a person. He acknowledged the difficult times they had navigated together, emphasizing how these experiences strengthened their family bond.

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You know very well that we have gone through many good and not-so-good moments.

Jorge's health had previously drawn attention during the 2026 World Cup when Lionel became emotional after Argentina's opening match. At the time, Lionel alluded to "difficult, complicated days" unrelated to sport, later clarifying that the situation was "more than anything, because of the family." The family had then stated Jorge was recovering favorably.

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I believe Lionel is an excellent person.