Lionel Messi’s Father Jorge Messi Passes at 68

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of football superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness.

According to Argentine media reports, Jorge passed away at a sanatorium in Rosario at around 10 p.m. on Friday. His death marks a deeply personal loss for Lionel Messi and the family who stood behind his remarkable journey from Argentina to the pinnacle of world football.

Jorge played a crucial role in shaping his son’s early career. When Lionel was just 13, he helped make the life-changing decision to move to Spain and pursue an opportunity with Barcelona. The move also gave Lionel access to the growth hormone treatment he needed, which had been difficult for the family to afford in Argentina.

During Lionel’s first challenging years in Spain, Jorge remained by his son’s side while other members of the family stayed in Argentina. He supported Lionel through the uncertainty of adapting to a new country and helped him remain focused on his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Lionel has previously spoken about the difficult decision he faced as a teenager, recalling how his father asked whether he wanted to continue chasing his dream in Spain or return home. Lionel chose to stay — and Jorge stayed with him.

Beyond his role as a father, Jorge became a key figure in Lionel’s professional career, overseeing many aspects of his son’s business and commercial affairs while generally keeping a low public profile.

Concerns about Jorge’s health became more widely known during the 2026 World Cup, when Lionel appeared emotional following Argentina’s opening match. The family later indicated that Jorge was undergoing treatment and recovering.

Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children — Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.

For Lionel Messi, the loss is not only that of a father but of the person who stood beside him from his earliest days in Rosario, supported his biggest dreams and helped him take the first steps toward becoming one of football’s greatest-ever players.