The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced the death of Jorge Messi, father of renowned footballer Lionel Messi, at the age of 68. The Messi family had previously stated on June 18, during the World Cup, that Jorge was facing health challenges and was under intensive medical care. Lionel Messi displayed visible emotion following his first goal in a hat-trick against Algeria in a 3-0 victory for Argentina, just two days before the family’s announcement. He later attributed his emotional display to having endured ‘some difficult, complicated days.’
Jorge Messi was instrumental in his son Lionel’s career, serving as his agent and business manager. Despite the departure of various advisors and counselors from Lionel’s team over time, often due to disagreements, the duo of father and son has remained closely connected and aligned in their actions and thoughts.
The AFA, under the leadership of President Claudio Tapia, expressed its condolences for Jorge’s passing. ‘The Argentine Football Association, led by its President Claudio Tapia, mourns with sadness and deep sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and icon, Lionel Messi,’ read a statement released Saturday. The AFA also declared that a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches in Argentina over the weekend in honor of Jorge. ‘We would like to offer our support to the whole family at this difficult time and send them our most heartfelt, warm and affectionate thoughts. Stay strong!’ the statement continued. Tribute messages also poured in from Lionel’s former club Barcelona and their rival club Real Madrid.
In his earlier years, Jorge was a supervisor at a metal factory in Rosario. He also volunteered as a coach at the local Grandoli soccer club, where Lionel played his first games as a child before transitioning to Rosario’s prominent club, Newell’s Old Boys. Newell’s Old Boys conveyed their sorrow in a statement on social media: ‘El Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys despide con profundo dolor y pesar a Jorge Messi, quien falleció a los 68 años de edad en la ciudad de Rosario. Reconocido hincha leproso, empresario y padre del capitán del seleccionado argentino, Lionel Andrés Messi.’
Lionel Messi’s growth was stunted by a hormone condition requiring expensive treatment. To afford it, Jorge and Lionel traveled to Spain for a trial with Barcelona in September 2000, which initially did not result in a contract. However, a pivotal agreement later occurred in December when Barcelona director Charly Rexach famously signed Lionel on a napkin in the presence of then-family advisors Josep Maria Minguella and Horacio Gaggioli. The young Lionel Messi secured his place with Barcelona, debuting in the first team in 2004 and rising to prominence as one of football’s all-time greats.
After leaving Barcelona amid the club’s financial difficulties, Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, spending two seasons in France. He then moved to Miami, assuming the role of club captain.