Messi’s father Jorge dies aged 68 after illness

Lionel Messi’s father and lifelong advisor Jorge Messi has died at 68 after a prolonged illness, the family confirmed on Saturday. The news arrives less than a year after speculation about his health surfaced during Argentina’s World Cup campaign in Qatar, when a false report of his death forced a presenter to resign. Jorge’s passing marks the end of a partnership that shaped not only Messi’s career but the modern era of football itself.

The man who built a legend

Jorge Messi was more than a father; he was Messi’s agent from the age of 14 and the architect of a career that redefined excellence. He guided his son from the youth ranks of Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario to Barcelona’s first team, where Messi became an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and lifted the Champions League four times. The family’s move to Spain in 2001 saw Jorge remain in Barcelona with Messi while the rest of the family returned to Argentina, a sacrifice that underscored his devotion.

Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Messi began at seven, described Jorge as “the pillar” who supported his son “with vision, rigor and affection.” They praised his “constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership,” from Malvinas youth academy to the “pinnacle of world football glory.” Barcelona echoed the sentiment, thanking Jorge “for his commitment to our club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career.”

A private battle, a public grief

Jorge’s illness had been a subject of concern during this summer’s World Cup, though the family never disclosed its nature. A false report of his death during Argentina’s opening game led to an apology and the resignation of the presenter responsible. The Argentine Football Association later issued a statement mourning “with sadness and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and emblem, Lionel Messi,” and offered “the most heartfelt, warm and affectionate embrace” to the family.

The Messi family’s statement confirmed Jorge died in a hospital in Rosario in the early hours of Saturday. His role extended beyond football: he was the steady force behind Messi’s every decision, from leaving Newell’s at 13 to navigating the complexities of a global career. Without Jorge, the path to World Cup glory in 2022—when Messi finally lifted the trophy his father had long dreamed of—would have looked entirely different.

What comes next

Messi, now 39, faces a future without the man who shaped his professional life. The immediate question is how the family will navigate the coming days, with tributes pouring in from clubs and federations. Newell’s Old Boys and Barcelona have already expressed solidarity, while the Argentine FA’s message signals the sport’s collective mourning. The focus now turns to the family’s wishes, and whether Messi will take a step back from professional duties to process the loss.

Jorge’s death also raises questions about the future of Messi’s off-field team. His agency responsibilities, once handled by Jorge, will need to be reassessed, and the family may seek new structures to manage the next phase of his career. Whatever path they choose, the absence of Jorge Messi will be felt acutely in every decision, every negotiation, and every moment of reflection.

Football has lost a figure who was as instrumental off the pitch as his son was on it. Jorge Messi’s legacy is woven into every trophy, every record, and every chapter of Lionel’s extraordinary life. The sport owes him an unspoken debt—one that can never be repaid.