Messi's father dies at 68

Jorge Messi, the father of Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi, passed away Friday night at the age of 68 in Rosario. Sources close to the family confirmed his death to EFE, stating he had been hospitalized battling a long illness.

Born in 1958 in the Argentine province of Santa Fe, Jorge Messi was a crucial figure in his son's career, serving as his representative and managing his family's assets. His influence extended beyond personal management, shaping the trajectory of one of the sport's greatest talents.

The Professional Football League (LPF), part of the Argentine Football Association, paid tribute to Jorge Messi on social media with a photo of him and his son, writing, "In this hard moment of saying goodbye to Jorge Messi, the LPF community and all of football bid him farewell with love and embrace his family and loved ones. Strength, Leo!"

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In this hard moment of saying goodbye to Jorge Messi, the LPF community and all of football bid him farewell with love and embrace his family and loved ones. Strength, Leo!

Newell's Old Boys, the Rosario club where Lionel Messi began his career, also posted a farewell message. They described Jorge Messi as "the support and the person who bolstered the career of the greatest player of all time with vision, rigor, and affection, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini."

Concerns about Jorge Messi's health had previously surfaced during the 2026 World Cup, with some Argentine media reporting his death, which was then denied by Messi's camp. At that time, the family issued a statement clarifying he was undergoing medical monitoring and recovering favorably.

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He was the support and the person who bolstered the career of the greatest player of all time with vision, rigor, and affection, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.