Jorge Messi, father and long-time agent of football superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness.
Jorge reportedly passed away in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, in the early hours of Saturday.
He had served as Lionel Messi’s agent since the Argentine forward was 14 and played a major role in guiding his son’s football career from his early years at Newell’s Old Boys to global stardom.
The Messi family had previously confirmed that Jorge was dealing with a “health-related situation” after concerns about his health emerged, although the nature of his illness was not disclosed.
Jorge remained by his son’s side when the Messi family moved to Spain in 2001 after Barcelona signed Lionel at the age of 13. While Messi’s mother and three siblings later returned to Rosario, Jorge stayed in Barcelona with his son.
He was also present in Qatar in 2022 when Lionel Messi led Argentina to their third FIFA World Cup triumph, finally achieving the major international honour that had eluded him for much of his career.
Lionel Messi, now 39, has gone on to become one of football’s most decorated players, winning eight Ballon d’Or awards, four UEFA Champions League titles and 10 La Liga titles during his 17-season first-team career with Barcelona.
Jorge’s influence on his son’s career was widely recognised, with his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, describing him as a key figure behind Messi’s rise.
“Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini,” the club said in a statement.
Newell’s Old Boys also paid tribute to Jorge’s role in supporting Lionel from his youth academy days through to the highest level of world football.
Barcelona also expressed condolences, thanking Jorge “for his commitment to our club” and for entrusting the club with the early and most successful years of his son’s football career.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) also mourned Jorge’s death, describing Lionel Messi as the country’s captain and an emblem of Argentine football.
The AFA extended its solidarity to the Messi family and offered its condolences during the difficult period.
Jorge’s health had previously become the subject of false reports. During Argentina’s opening game at the 2022 World Cup, an Argentine television presenter falsely reported that he had died.
The presenter later resigned, while the Messi family criticised what it described as a lack of sensitivity, respect and discretion over a private family matter.
Jorge Messi leaves behind his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and children Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.
