Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness

Lionel Messi’s father and longtime representative, Jorge Messi, has passed away at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the football community.

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Argentina, and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness.

Jorge passed away at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, where he had been undergoing treatment recently. He was accompanied by his wife, Celia, and their children, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, as reported.

Jorge significantly influenced Lionel Messi’s football journey from his formative years in Rosario. He took on the role of his son’s representative during Messi’s teenage years and maintained a close involvement in his professional matters throughout his career. He played a crucial role in facilitating Messi’s transition from Newell’s Old Boys to Barcelona when Messi was just 13 years old.

Messi discussed challenging family situations during the 2026 World Cup, with his father’s health believed to be a factor in some of the emotional moments he faced throughout the tournament. Jorge could not participate in the competition due to his illness.

Tributes have flowed in from various corners of the football world, including Barcelona, Newell’s Old Boys, Real Madrid, and the Argentine Football Association. The AFA announced that Argentine football divisions would observe a minute of silence and wear black armbands in his honor.

Jorge’s funeral is anticipated to occur in a private setting, with his remains set to be interred at El Prado private cemetery in Pérez, close to Rosario.