Jorge Messi, the father of football superstar Lionel Messi, passed away on Friday night at the age of 68. His family confirmed to Reuters that he died at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, following a battle with a long-term illness. During his final months, Jorge split his time between home and a medical facility in Rosario, surrounded by his wife, Celia, and his children, Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol.
Throughout his son’s illustrious career, Jorge served as a foundational figure, providing unwavering support from Lionel’s early days at Barcelona and acting as his representative for many years. Reflecting on their close bond, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner once shared, “I always needed my dad’s approval, ever since I was a kid. After every match, I’d ask him what he thought of how I played.”
Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Lionel began his journey, honored Jorge’s legacy in a public statement, noting that his “constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel.” Following the recent World Cup, Lionel spent quality time with his father before returning to his club duties with Inter Miami, where he resumed play just one week ago.
The family had previously addressed Jorge’s health struggles publicly, issuing a statement regarding his condition after Lionel appeared visibly emotional during the World Cup. After scoring a hat-trick against Algeria, the Argentina captain broke down in tears, later clarifying at a press conference that his reaction was due to “something unrelated to football” after enduring “a few difficult, complicated days.” Shortly thereafter, the family confirmed that Jorge was undergoing medical treatment.
