Jorge Messi, the father of football superstar Lionel Messi, has died aged 68 in Rosario, Argentina, after a long illness, the Messi family confirmed to Reuters.
Jorge died on Friday night at a medical clinic in Rosario. During his final months, he had been moving between a medical centre and his home, where he was accompanied by his wife, Celia, and their children Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.
Jorge was a major figure in Lionel Messi’s life and football career. He closely accompanied his son from his early years and served for several years as his representative.
Lionel Messi himself previously described the importance of his father’s opinion to him.
I needed my dad’s approval, ever since I was a kid. After every match, I’d ask him what he thought of how I played,” Messi said.
That relationship extended beyond football. Jorge remained a close presence throughout Lionel’s rise from a young player in Rosario to one of the world’s most decorated footballers.
Messi spent time with his father after the 2026 World Cup in North America before returning to his club, Inter Miami.
Reuters reported that he was expected to travel from Miami to Rosario for a private wake following his father’s death.
The news prompted condolences from major football institutions connected with Messi’s career.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced that there would be a minute’s silence at matches across Argentina’s football divisions, while players, coaches and referees would wear black armbands in Jorge’s memory. The AFA said:
From here, we stand in solidarity with the entire family during this difficult time and send the most heartfelt, warm, and affectionate embrace. Strength to you all.” AFA said.
Barcelona, the club where Messi spent most of his senior career, also paid tribute to Jorge and recognised his role in bringing Lionel to the club.
FC Barcelona thanks Jorge Messi for his commitment to our club, for entrusting us with the beginning and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career.” FC Barcelona said in a statement.
Other organisations, including Real Madrid and Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys, also expressed condolences to the family.
Jorge’s death comes during another important period in Lionel Messi’s career. The Argentine captain had just come through the 2026 World Cup and subsequently returned to club football with Inter Miami.
Reuters also recalled a poignant moment during the World Cup. After scoring a hat-trick against Algeria, Messi broke down in tears while celebrating his first goal. Asked about the emotion afterwards, he explained that it was related to something “unrelated to football” and that he had been through “a few difficult, complicated days.”
Jorge’s remains are due to be transferred to El Prado private cemetery in Perez, near Rosario.
Jorge Messi was not merely Lionel Messi’s father; he was a long-standing representative and central figure in his son’s football journey. His death has prompted tributes from the Argentine football authorities, Barcelona and other major football institutions.
