Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68.
His death was confirmed on Saturday by Sanatorio Centro, the medical facility in Rosario, Argentina, where he had been receiving care, according to CNN en Español. The hospital’s medical director, Dr Carlos Mackey, said Jorge died in the early hours of the morning, with the family choosing not to disclose further details about the cause of death.
Newell’s Old Boys, the Rosario club where Lionel Messi developed as a youngster before moving to Barcelona, also announced Jorge’s death and paid tribute to the influential role he played in his son’s extraordinary career.
The club described him as a devoted Newell’s supporter, businessman and a central figure behind Lionel Messi’s rise from his childhood in Rosario to the pinnacle of world football.
The Argentine Football Association also expressed its condolences, describing Lionel Messi as the national team’s captain and emblem while offering support to the Messi family during what it called a difficult period.
Tributes also came from the Argentine national team, South American football governing body CONMEBOL, the Royal Spanish Football Federation and UNICEF, for which Lionel Messi has served as a goodwill ambassador.
Casita Furniture & Decor
Jorge Messi played a major role in managing his son’s career for more than two decades, representing him through his historic years at Barcelona and during subsequent moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
He was also alongside his son through the highs and lows of Lionel Messi’s international career, culminating in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Jorge’s health had attracted public attention during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His family said in June that he was undergoing medical monitoring for a health issue and was recovering. It has not been established whether that condition was connected to his death.
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, enjoyed an exceptionally close professional relationship with his father, who remained a prominent behind-the-scenes figure in contract negotiations and major career decisions.
