Jorge Messi, father and representative of Lionel Messi, passed away on Friday night in a nursing home in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68, after battling a long illness, as confirmed by Infobae.
His death puts an end to weeks of public uncertainty about his health, which began to surface during the 2026 World Cup when Jorge's absence from the stands—typical at every major tournament featuring his son—raised alarms among Argentine media.
It was precisely during Argentina's debut in that championship, on June 17, when Lionel couldn't hold back his tears after scoring the first of his three goals against Algeria. When asked about it, the albiceleste captain evaded the details: "It's due to something completely unrelated to sports; I went through some difficult, complicated days. I'm grateful to the entire delegation, as always, by my side."
In the mixed zone, his former teammate Juan Pablo Sorín affectionately pressed him about the source of his tears. "Honestly, it’s mainly about the family. We are going through a tough time right now. So a lot of things came together," Messi replied.
Days later, the family issued a statement clarifying that Jorge was "under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he presented." Argentine media reported that he had been released from the hospital and returned to his home in Rosario, which provided temporary relief. However, his condition worsened again until his death this Friday.
Jorge was much more than the father of the best soccer player in the world. Husband of Celia Cuccittini and father of four children —Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol— he was the quiet architect of an unprecedented career in the history of sports.
When Lionel was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency as a youth at Newell's Old Boys, Jorge sought coverage for the treatment but found no answers in Argentina or at River Plate. It was then that he negotiated an unprecedented agreement with FC Barcelona: for the club to sign a 13-year-old foreign player and also guarantee medical treatment, a salary, housing, work for the family, and image rights.
When the adjustment to European life became complicated and the rest of the family returned to Rosario, Jorge stayed with Lionel in Barcelona. This decision was crucial in the career of the Argentine star, who recalled it in a 2007 interview: «My dad was always by my side. We went through a lot of tough times... My dad asked me what I wanted to do, whether I wanted to continue or go back. I wanted to continue, and he stayed with me».
Trained as a chemical technician, Jorge had worked as a manager at the Acindar steel factory during the 80s, according to the biography of Messi by journalist Guillem Balagué. In his youth, he also played as a midfielder in the youth teams of Newell's until military service interrupted his own football dreams.
His profile was always discreet: he rarely gave interviews over the years and sought refuge in silence while overseeing his son's career. Over time, he also took on the commercial management of the Messi brand, negotiating contracts with major companies around the world.
The 2026 World Cup was Lionel's last, as he scored eight goals and provided four assists at the age of 39 before losing in the final to Spain. Messi cried inconsolably after the defeat, unaware that weeks later he would face an even more painful loss.
In that 2007 interview, Jorge left his son a message that resonates with a different dimension today: "Above being a good soccer player, you are an excellent person."
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