Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi dies at 68 after long illness
Rosario, August 8
Jorge Messi, the father of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68, according to the Argentine news outlet La Nacion.
Messi's father had been receiving treatment at a clinic in Rosario.
Notably, Jorge had been unwell for some time, with his family confirming his health issues during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
On June 18, after Argentina's opening 2026 World Cup match against Algeria, reports emerged about concerns over the health of Lionel Messi's father. Hours later, the Messi family denied reports of his death and confirmed that he was undergoing treatment for a medical condition.
"The Messi family reports that Jorge is experiencing a health issue. He is currently under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition," they posted.
After Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, where Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick, the footballer opened up about his emotional reaction after scoring the first of his three goals. The Argentina captain revealed that he had been going through some difficult days, which led to the emotional moment.
"I've had some difficult days. It was something unrelated to sports. I went through some difficult and complicated days. I'm grateful to the delegation and all my teammates. They were always by my side and gave me the strength to get through this," he had said as per La Nacion.
Jorge Messi was not just Lionel Messi's father but also played an important role in shaping his football career. After Lionel Messi's football career took off, Jorge became his son's agent and strategic adviser after working for years as a supervisor at a steel factory.
Jorge was also closely involved in Lionel's early career at Newell's Old Boys. When Messi was 13, he helped facilitate his move to Spain to join Barcelona's youth academy. The Catalan club also covered the cost of his treatment for a growth hormone deficiency, a condition that affected his physical development. Messi underwent daily injections as part of the treatment, which helped him reach a final height of 1.70 metres.
Jorge was married to Celia Cuccittini and had four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is so tragic. I remember watching Messi's emotional celebration after that hat-trick against Algeria - now it all makes sense. He was carrying such a heavy burden while performing at the highest level. True professional. My deepest condolences to the Messi family.
Jorge Messi sacrificed everything for his son's dream. Moving to Barcelona at 13, covering medical expenses, being there through every step - that's what true parental love looks like. In India, we understand this deeply - our parents do the same for us. Rest in peace, Jorge. 🕊️
While I feel for Messi's loss, I wonder why the media keeps reporting on celebrities' personal tragedies as if they're the only ones who suffer. Every day, thousands of people lose parents. We should respect this family's privacy instead of turning grief into content. Just a thought.
The way Messi played that match despite knowing his father was unwell shows incredible mental strength. In our culture, we often talk about 'karmabhoomi' - doing your duty no matter what. That's exactly what Messi did. Makes me respect him even more. Om Shanti to Jorge ji. 🙏
Such heartbreaking news. Jorge was more than just Messi's father - he was the architect behind one of football's greatest careers. From a steel factory supervisor to managing his son's career, it's a story of dedication. Condolences to Lionel and the entire Messi family during this difficult time.
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