BREAKING: Lionel Messi’s father Jorge dies at 68 after long Illness
Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father and longtime representative, has died aged 68 in Rosario after a prolonged illness, according to reports from Infobae.
Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68 after battling a prolonged illness. According to Argentine outlet Infobae, Jorge died at around 10 p.m. on Friday at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina.
The news comes less than two months after Messi’s family confirmed that Jorge was receiving medical treatment. In June, the family said he was under medical supervision and recovering, while asking the public to respect his privacy amid widespread speculation about his condition.
Jorge played a major role in Messi’s development from childhood, particularly when the future Argentina captain required treatment for a growth hormone deficiency. He helped pursue the medical care needed while Messi was developing at Newell’s Old Boys before the family’s move to Spain.
At 13, Messi travelled to Barcelona with his father to pursue his football dream. Jorge remained alongside him during the early stages of his European career, helping navigate the challenges surrounding his son’s development while the rest of the family stayed in Rosario.
Beyond his role as a father, Jorge became Messi’s longtime agent and handled important aspects of his professional career. He was involved in contract negotiations, transfers and commercial affairs while generally maintaining a low profile away from the media.
Jorge’s health became a particularly sensitive issue during the 2026 World Cup. Messi appeared emotional after scoring against Algeria and later explained that he had experienced difficult personal days because of family circumstances. The Messi family subsequently confirmed Jorge was undergoing treatment.
Jorge leaves behind his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol. His death marks the loss of one of the most influential figures behind Messi’s journey from a young Rosario footballer to one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport.
