Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 after 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 a significant role in Lionel Messi’s football career from the player’s early days in Rosario, becoming his son’s representative when Messi was a teenager and remaining closely involved in his professional affairs throughout his career.
Jorge was also instrumental in facilitating Messi’s move from Newell’s Old Boys to Barcelona at the age of 13, a transfer that marked the beginning of the Argentine forward’s remarkable career in European football.
Messi spoke about difficult family circumstances during the 2026 World Cup, with his father’s health reportedly contributing to some of the emotional moments he experienced during the tournament. Jorge was unable to attend the competition because of his illness.
Tributes have since poured in from across the football world, including from Barcelona, Newell’s Old Boys, Real Madrid and the Argentine Football Association.
The AFA announced that Argentine football divisions would observe a minute’s silence and wear black armbands in Jorge Messi’s honour.
His funeral is expected to be held privately, with his remains to be laid to rest at El Prado private cemetery in Pérez, near Rosario.
