BREAKING: Lionel Messi’s Father Jorge Dies At 68 After Prolonged Illness

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina.

According to Ireporter Online, the death was reported on Saturday by Spanish newspaper MARCA, citing Argentine media outlet Infobae. Jorge reportedly passed away at about 10pm on Friday at a medical facility in Rosario after battling a prolonged illness.

Jorge was married to Celia Cuccittini and was the father of four children, including Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol. Beyond being the father of one of football’s most celebrated figures, he played a significant role in guiding and managing Lionel Messi’s career from his childhood years.

Jorge was instrumental in helping his son secure medical treatment after Lionel was diagnosed with a growth-related condition as a youngster. When obtaining the required treatment in Argentina became difficult, he helped facilitate Lionel’s move to Barcelona at the age of 13.

He remained with the young footballer in Spain during the early stages of his European journey, while other members of the family stayed behind in Rosario. Lionel Messi later recalled the difficult period and the sacrifices his father made to ensure he could continue pursuing his football dreams.

As Messi developed through Barcelona’s youth system and eventually became one of the most successful players in football history, Jorge became increasingly involved in his son’s professional and business affairs.

He represented Messi during major negotiations and commercial agreements while maintaining a relatively low profile away from the spotlight. Despite his influence over his son’s career, Jorge rarely gave interviews or sought public attention.

Jorge’s importance to Lionel’s career extended beyond football management, as he remained a key source of support throughout some of the most challenging periods of the player’s life.

Concerns over Jorge’s health became more widely known after Lionel Messi appeared emotional following an Argentina match during the 2026 World Cup. The football star later explained that his emotions were connected to difficult personal circumstances rather than the match itself.

The Messi family subsequently confirmed that Jorge was receiving medical care and appealed to the public to respect the family’s privacy.

Before becoming heavily involved in his son’s career, Jorge worked as a chemical technician and joined Argentine steel company Acindar in the 1980s, eventually rising to a managerial position.

He also had a background in football, having played as a midfielder in the youth ranks of Newell’s Old Boys before eventually leaving the sport after being called up for military service.

Jorge’s death marks the loss of a figure who played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in Lionel Messi’s journey from a young footballer in Rosario to one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport.