Jorge Messi, father and longtime representative of Argentine football star Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. He passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning at Sanatorio Centro, the private medical clinic where he had been receiving treatment. The clinic’s medical director confirmed the news but did not disclose the specific illness, citing the family’s wish for privacy.
Health Concerns Surfaced During the World Cup
Jorge’s declining health first drew public attention during the 2026 World Cup, when Lionel Messi appeared visibly emotional after Argentina’s opening match and later admitted he was dealing with a difficult personal situation. The family subsequently confirmed Jorge was undergoing medical treatment, while also criticizing premature and inaccurate reports of his death that circulated at the time. After the tournament concluded, with Argentina losing the final to Spain, Lionel Messi traveled to Rosario to spend time with his father before returning to Inter Miami duties.
A Central Figure in Messi’s Career
Jorge Messi was far more than a supportive parent. He played a pivotal role in his son’s rise from Newell’s Old Boys’ youth ranks to global stardom, helping secure treatment for a childhood growth hormone condition and later overseeing many of the business and contractual decisions that shaped Lionel’s career at Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami.
Tributes poured in from across the football world. The Argentine Football Association ordered a minute of silence at matches nationwide, with players and officials wearing black armbands. Newell’s Old Boys, UNICEF, Inter Miami, and PSG all issued statements honoring Jorge’s memory and offering condolences to the Messi family.