Mourning in Argentina: Jorge Messi, father of the football legend, passes away at 68
Jorge Messi, a central figure in his son's career who accompanied him from his earliest days on the pitch, has passed away at 68 following a prolonged illness.
Jorge Messi, the father of Argentine football star Lionel Messi, passed away overnight between Friday and Saturday at the age of 68 in a hospital in Rosario, following a battle with a prolonged illness.
Jorge was considered a central figure in his son's career, accompanying him from his very first days on the pitch until he became one of the greatest players in the history of the game. The bond between them took on special significance during Messi's childhood. When his young son played for the Newell's Old Boys youth team and required hormonal treatment for a growth deficiency, it was Jorge who relentlessly sought a way to fund the care. After failing to find a viable solution in Argentina, he explored other options—including a move to River Plate—before ultimately relocating with his son to Barcelona. That move to Spain became one of the most pivotal decisions in football history.
Messi was only 13 at the time, and Jorge remained by his side while the rest of the family struggled to adapt to life in Europe. He gave his son the opportunity to pursue his dream, serving as the anchor during a period when his future was far from guaranteed.
"My father was always by my side," Messi once shared, describing how they both faced immense difficulties and would often seclude themselves to cry, shielding the other from their pain.
Jorge himself preferred to stay behind the scenes, rarely giving interviews and avoiding the spotlight that surrounded his son. Despite this, his presence was constant at national team matches, family events, and the major crossroads of Messi's career. Beyond his role as a father, Jorge served as Messi's representative, negotiating with clubs and commercial partners and playing a vital role in building the business empire behind the "Messi" brand.
In recent years, Jorge's health had become a source of concern for the family. During the 2026 World Cup, Messi hinted that he was navigating a difficult personal period. After scoring and being moved to tears during Argentina's opening match against Algeria, he explained that his reaction was unrelated to football, noting that he had "gone through a few difficult and complicated days."
