Football legend Lionel Messi is mourning the death of his father and longtime representative, Jorge Messi, who died at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness.
Jorge died on Friday night at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, where he had spent his final months moving between the facility and his home while receiving medical care. His death was confirmed by the Messi family and subsequently acknowledged by football authorities and clubs around the world.
For Lionel Messi, Jorge was far more than a father. He was a trusted adviser, career representative and one of the key figures behind the footballer’s journey from a talented youngster in Rosario to one of the most celebrated players in the history of the sport.
Jorge played an influential role from Messi’s earliest years, accompanying him when he travelled to Spain for his first Barcelona trial in 2000. He later moved with his son to Spain after Barcelona signed the young Argentine and eventually became his agent, overseeing important aspects of his professional career and contract negotiations.
Messi’s bond with his father extended beyond football. The Argentine superstar previously spoke about seeking Jorge’s opinion after matches, highlighting the personal influence his father had on him throughout his career.
Jorge’s health became a subject of public attention during the 2026 World Cup after Messi broke down in tears following his opening-match hat-trick against Algeria. The Argentina captain later said the emotional reaction was linked to circumstances unrelated to football. Days afterward, the Messi family confirmed that Jorge was receiving medical treatment and appealed for privacy while he recovered.
Messi remained close to his father during his final months. According to Reuters, he spent time with Jorge after the World Cup in North America before returning to Inter Miami, where he resumed action shortly before his father’s death.
Tributes have since poured in from across the football world. CONMEBOL, the Argentine Football Association, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Newell’s Old Boys were among those expressing condolences to Messi and his family.
Newell’s Old Boys, where Messi began his youth career, described Jorge as a pillar of strength whose support was fundamental to his son’s rise, while Barcelona thanked him for entrusting the club with the early and most successful years of Messi’s football journey.
Jorge Messi’s death brings an end to the life of a man who largely operated away from the spotlight but played a defining role in the making of one of football’s greatest stars.
