Lionel Messi’s Father, Jorge Messi, Dies At 68 After Long Illness

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Argentine football star Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness.

Jorge died at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, where he had been receiving treatment in recent months. Reports said he was surrounded by his wife, Celia, and their children, Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol.

He played an important role in Lionel Messi’s football career from his early days in Rosario. Jorge became his son’s representative when Messi was still a teenager and remained closely involved in his professional career.

He was also instrumental in helping Messi move from Newell’s Old Boys to Barcelona at the age of 13, a move that eventually launched the footballer’s record-breaking career in Europe.

Messi had previously spoken about the challenges facing his family, with his father’s health reportedly contributing to some of the emotional moments he experienced during the 2026 World Cup. Jorge was unable to attend the tournament because of his illness.

Tributes have since been received from across the football world, including Barcelona, Newell’s Old Boys, Real Madrid and the Argentine Football Association.

The AFA announced that football competitions in Argentina would observe a minute of silence and players would wear black armbands in Jorge Messi’s memory.

Jorge’s funeral is expected to be held privately, with his remains set to be buried at El Prado private cemetery in Pérez, near Rosario.