Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, has died at age 68 following a prolonged illness. Jorge Messi died early Saturday at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, where he had been receiving treatment. The specific illness and medical cause of death have not been made public at the family’s request.
Lionel Messi is expected to travel from Miami to Rosario to be with his family and attend a private wake. The 39-year-old Argentina captain had spent time with his father following the 2026 World Cup before returning to Inter Miami. Jorge Messi was far more than the father of one of soccer’s greatest players. He played a central role in Lionel Messi’s career from his earliest years in Rosario and later handled many of the business and contractual decisions surrounding his son.
When Messi was a young player at Newell’s Old Boys and required treatment for a growth hormone deficiency, Jorge helped search for a club capable of supporting both his development and medical needs. That search eventually led the family to Barcelona when Messi was 13 years old. Jorge remained in Spain with his son during a difficult adjustment period, helping set the foundation for the career that followed.
Messi would eventually spend more than two decades connected to Barcelona, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer and winning numerous domestic and European titles before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and Inter Miami in 2023. Jorge continued to serve as a key adviser and representative throughout those moves and remained closely involved in his son’s professional career.
Concerns about his health became public during the 2026 World Cup in North America. Lionel Messi became emotional after scoring during Argentina’s opening match against Algeria and later said he had been dealing with difficult circumstances away from soccer. Days later, the Messi family confirmed that Jorge was undergoing medical treatment while asking for privacy. The family had also pushed back strongly against premature reports at the time claiming he had died.
Saturday’s confirmed death prompted tributes throughout the soccer world. The Argentine Football Association ordered a minute of silence at matches across the country, with players, coaches and referees wearing black armbands. Flags at AFA facilities were also lowered to half-staff.
Newell’s Old Boys, where Lionel Messi began playing as a child, remembered Jorge as a central figure behind his son’s career. Barcelona also paid tribute to him, recognizing the trust he placed in the club when Lionel arrived as a teenager. Real Madrid and other clubs and organizations also sent condolences to the Messi family.
Jorge is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children, Rodrigo, Matías, Lionel and María Sol. For Lionel Messi, the loss comes just weeks after Argentina completed another World Cup run and as he returned to club competition with Inter Miami. His club was scheduled to face Monterrey in the Leagues Cup on Saturday night.
