Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, dies at 68

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine soccer icon Lionel Messi, died Friday evening at a hospital in his native Rosario, Argentina, after a prolonged illness. He was 68.

The death was confirmed Saturday by CONMEBOL, the Argentine Football Association, and Newell's Old Boys, the club where Lionel Messi began his youth career. Dr. Carlos Mackey, the medical director of Sanatorio Centro in Rosario, verified the death but said no further details on the cause would be disclosed to respect the family's privacy.espn+2

A Father's Role in Football History

Jorge Messi was instrumental in shaping his son's career from its earliest days. Working as a supervisor in a steel factory in Rosario, he traveled with a 13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona in 2000 for a trial after the family struggled to afford treatment for a growth hormone deficiency. He subsequently managed his son's career through stints at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami.nytimes+1

"My dad was always by my side," Lionel Messi said in a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata. "Sometimes I would lock myself in my room to cry when we arrived in Barcelona, or my dad would do the same without me seeing him."espn

Illness During the World Cup

Jorge's health had been a quiet presence throughout the 2026 World Cup. Speaking after scoring in Argentina's opener against Algeria in June, Lionel Messi said his visible emotion "had nothing to do with football" and that he had been through "some difficult, complicated days."cbsnews+1

On June 18, the family released a statement confirming Jorge was "going through a health-related situation" and was "under medical care, recovering and evolving favorably." The family also criticized speculation surrounding his condition and asked for privacy.usatoday+1

Jorge was unable to attend the tournament in North America, where Lionel, at 39, scored eight goals in eight matches and broke Miroslav Klose's career World Cup scoring record of 16 goals. Argentina ultimately fell 1-0 to Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium.sports.yahoo+1

Tributes and What Comes Next

Newell's Old Boys called Jorge "the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time." CONMEBOL said it accompanied "Lionel, his family, friends, and loved ones with respect and affection in this moment of profound grief."cbsnews+1

Amid the mourning, Argentina FA president Claudio Tapia addressed retirement speculation surrounding Lionel Messi on Friday. "It's a decision that is purely and personally his," Tapia said. "I think we've seen a great version — if not the best — of Leo in a World Cup."aljazeera

Jorge is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children: Rodrigo, Matías, Lionel, and María Sol.espn