Lionel Messi's Father, Jorge Messi, Dies at 68; Recalls of His Sacrifice Resurface
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Jorge Messi, father of football star Lionel Messi, died at age 68 in Rosario, Argentina, after health complications.
- An old interview resurfaced where Lionel Messi recalled his father's demanding work schedule to support the family.
- Jorge Messi played a crucial role in his son's early career, accompanying him from Rosario to Spain and during his initial years in Barcelona.
Jorge Messi, the father of football icon Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, following health complications. His death brings renewed attention to a past interview where the younger Messi spoke movingly about his father's sacrifices.
In the resurfaced conversation, Lionel Messi described his father's arduous routine, waking at 4 a.m. and returning home at 9 p.m. daily to provide for the family. The football star recalled cherishing the limited time they had together, emphasizing his father's constant work ethic.
My old man used to get up at four in the morning and come back at nine at night for dinner, practically every day.
Beyond his role as a provider, Jorge Messi was instrumental in his son's football journey. He supported Lionel from his earliest days, was involved in the family's decision to move to Spain, and remained a constant presence during Lionel's initial years at Barcelona. Jorge Messi's influence extended beyond the sport, shaping his son's life from childhood to global stardom.
We saw each other little, and when we saw each other, he enjoyed me, he never yelled at me. I enjoyed him a lot because I missed him and waited for him to arrive to hug him and be with him. That's why I tell you it's different in that sense, because he spent his life working, honestly.
Originally published by La Naciรณn in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.