Jorge Messi, the father of football superstar Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68 after a long illness. He died at a medical facility in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, after a long illness, according to multiple Argentine and Spanish media outlets.
Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Jorge grew up as a devoted fan, confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday. The club said it was mourning his loss “with profound pain and sorrow,” describing him as a lifelong supporter, a businessman, and the father of Argentina’s captain, according to ESPN.
Jorge Messi?
For most of the football world, Jorge Messi was known simply as “Messi’s father.” But his role went far beyond that. He was also his son’s longtime agent, managing the business side of one of the greatest careers in football history.
Before that, Jorge worked as a steelworker and trained as a chemical technician. He once played soccer himself, coming up through Newell’s youth ranks, but had to give up the sport to complete his mandatory military service in Argentina.
Father’s support
Jorge’s influence on his son’s career started early. He was the one who traveled with a young Lionel to Barcelona for the trial that opened the doors to La Masia, the club’s famed youth academy. That decision, made when Argentine clubs would not fund treatment for Lionel’s growth hormone condition, changed the course of his son’s life.
As Lionel’s career grew, so did Jorge’s role. He became closely involved in managing his son’s professional affairs, staying by his side through some of the sport’s biggest moments.
“My dad was always by my side,” Messi once said in a 2007 interview, recalling how they would quietly cope with the pressures of adjusting to life in Barcelona.
Jorge’s illness had been kept private for months. It first came into public view in June, during Argentina’s World Cup campaign, when Lionel became emotional after scoring in the team’s opening match against Algeria. He later said the tears had nothing to do with football, adding that he had been through some difficult days.
Days after that, the Messi family confirmed Jorge was dealing with a health issue. In a statement, they said he was under medical supervision and recovering well, and asked for privacy during that time.
Toward the end of July, Lionel skipped the MLS All-Star Game, a decision widely believed to be linked to visiting his father. He returned to action in an MLS match soon after.
For Lionel Messi, Jorge was never just a parent watching from the sidelines. He was one of the people who helped carry him from a boy chasing a dream in Rosario to one of the most celebrated athletes of his generation. The official cause of death has not been disclosed, and the family has not released a further statement beyond confirming his passing.
