Lionel Messi's Father, Jorge Messi, Dies at 68

Jorge Messi, the father of football icon Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness. He died on August 7th in a Rosario hospital, where he had been receiving treatment and was surrounded by his family.

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It was a matter unrelated to sports. I went through some difficult and complicated days. Grateful to the delegation and all my teammates. They were always by my side and gave me strength to be well.

His health had been a growing concern, with the situation becoming public in mid-June 2026. Lionel Messi himself became visibly emotional after scoring his first goal during the World Cup match against Algeria, later stating he had gone through difficult days and thanking his teammates for their support.

Speculation about Jorge Messi's health led the family to issue a statement expressing their distress over the insensitive and disrespectful way the private family matter was being handled. The statement clarified that Jorge was experiencing a "health situation" and was under medical supervision.

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Profound discomfort due to the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family situation.

Due to his father's illness, neither Jorge nor Lionel's mother, Celia Cuccittini, traveled to the United States to support Lionel during the World Cup, a departure from their usual practice. While there were reports in late June that Jorge had been discharged and was recovering at home, the situation ultimately proved critical. Lionel Messi returned to Miami for his club commitments with Inter Miami shortly before his father's death.

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Health situation and that he was under medical supervision.