Safi – Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, died on Friday night at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, after a long illness, the family confirmed.
He spent his final months between a medical center in his native Rosario and his home, accompanied by his wife, Celia, and children Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol.
Jorge is survived by Celia and their four children, including Lionel and his older brothers Rodrigo and Matías and younger sister María Sol.
The family had kept Jorge’s illness private before disclosing a “health situation” during the 2026 World Cup. After scoring in Argentina’s opening win over Algeria in June, Lionel Messi said his tears were due to “something unrelated to football.”
“I have been through some difficult, complicated days,” he told reporters. “I am thankful for the support I have received from my teammates and the staff during this time.”
Jorge Messi worked in a steel factory in Rosario before moving to Europe when his son joined Barcelona’s academy in 2000. He went on to manage Lionel’s career, from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and then Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami.
Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Lionel Messi began, was among the first to pay tribute. “Newell’s Old Boys bid farewell with deep pain and sorrow to Jorge Messi,” the club wrote, describing him as the person who, with his wife Celia, “supported with vision, rigour and affection the career of the greatest player of all time.”
“I always needed my dad’s approval, ever since I was a kid,” Lionel Messi has recalled. “After every match, I’d ask him what he thought of how I played.”
Beyond confirming the death, the family had not released a public statement as of Saturday.
Under his father’s guidance, Lionel Messi won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, given to the world’s best player, and led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title.
Jorge was unable to attend this year’s tournament in North America, where Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain. His son spent time with him in Rosario before returning to Inter Miami a week ago.
