Star footballer Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, passed away on Friday, August 7, at the age of 68, according to Spanish news outlet Infobae. He was reportedly battling cancer and was hospitalised in a clinic in the city of Rosario, Argentina.
The family has not issued a statement yet.
Jorge Messi has played a key role in his son’s soccer career, acting as his agent and managing his business affairs off the field.
Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion after scoring a hat trick against and said that his tears after the match stemmed from some tough days unrelated to soccer. “It had nothing to do with sports. I’ve been through some difficult and complicated days,” he said at the time.
The family has also issued a statement during the saying that Jorge Messi was undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.
Who was Jorge Messi?
Behind , the star known for his extraordinary achievements on the pitch, was his father, Jorge Messi — the quiet, steadfast architect working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Born in Rosario, Jorge initially worked as a manager in a steel factory before dedicating his life to nurturing his son’s prodigious athletic talent, according to Infobae. He was the driving force during Lionel’s most critical early years, famously travelling to Spain with his 13-year-old son to secure a contract with FC Barcelona.
This ensured the club would pay for Lionel’s vital growth hormone treatment, ultimately changing the history of the sport.
Beyond being a devoted father, the news outlet said, Jorge served as Lionel’s official representative and closest adviser throughout his entire career. He negotiated historic contracts, navigated the complex financial landscape of modern sports, and shielded his son from off-pitch distractions, allowing Lionel to focus purely on football.
Despite holding one of the most influential positions in world sports, Jorge deliberately maintained a low public profile. He rarely granted interviews, preferring instead to let his son’s generational talent speak for itself.
Jorge is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children: Rodrigo, Matías, Lionel, and María Sol.
