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. He was surrounded by his wife, Celia, and their children, Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol, according to reports.
Jorge played a major role in Lionel Messi’s football career from his earliest days in Rosario. He became his son’s representative when Messi was a teenager and remained closely involved in his professional affairs throughout his career. He also helped guide Messi’s move from Newell’s Old Boys to Barcelona at the age of 13.
Messi had spoken about difficult family circumstances during the 2026 World Cup, with his father’s health understood to be behind 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 football, including Barcelona, Newell’s Old Boys, Real Madrid and the Argentine Football Association. The AFA said Argentine football divisions would observe a minute of silence and wear black armbands in his honour.
Jorge’s funeral is expected to take place privately, with his remains to be laid to rest at El Prado private cemetery in Pérez, near Rosario.
