Lionel Messi‘s father and longtime agent Jorge Messi has died aged 68 after a long illness, with tributes now coming from the football clubs and organisations that played a role in his son’s career.
Jorge died at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, early Saturday, according to reports.
His health had attracted attention in recent months after reports raised questions about his condition. The Messi family later confirmed that Jorge was dealing with a «health-related situation» but chose not to disclose further information.
For decades, Jorge was one of the most important people behind Lionel’s career. He became his son’s agent when Lionel was 14 and remained closely involved as the youngster progressed from football in Rosario to Barcelona and eventually the highest levels of the sport.
From Rosario to Barcelona
Lionel began playing for his hometown club Newell’s Old Boys when he was 7. His move to Barcelona came four years later, when the Spanish club signed him at the age of 13.
The family moved to Spain in February 2001, but Lionel’s mother Celia Cuccittini and his three siblings later returned to Rosario. Jorge stayed in Barcelona with his son while the teenager continued his development at the club’s academy.
That period became the foundation for one of football’s most successful careers. Messi went on to win 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with Barcelona before adding an eighth Ballon d’Or to his individual honours.
His biggest international achievement came in 2022, when Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar. Jorge was there to watch his son finally lift the trophy after years of trying to win football’s biggest international prize.
Newell’s and Barcelona remember Jorge
Newell’s Old Boys described Jorge as a major influence on Lionel’s career and highlighted his role alongside Celia in supporting their son’s progress.
The club said Jorge’s guidance was important from Lionel’s early days at the Malvinas youth academy through to his success on the world stage.
Barcelona also offered its condolences, thanking Jorge Messi for trusting the club with the early development of his son and for his involvement during the most successful stages of Lionel’s Barcelona career.
The Argentine Football Association also mourned his death and expressed its support for the Messi family.
Jorge’s final months were complicated by intense media attention surrounding his health. During Argentina’s opening match at this summer’s World Cup, an Argentine television presenter incorrectly announced that Jorge had died.
The presenter later resigned. The Messi family criticised the report and said it was deeply upset by what it considered an insensitive treatment of a private family matter.
Jorge Messi is survived by his wife Celia and their children Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.
