Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has died at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, after a prolonged illness, bringing a deeply personal loss to the football icon and his family. Jorge died on Friday night at a medical clinic in Rosario, where he had been receiving treatment.
Jorge was not only Messi’s father but also one of the most important figures behind his extraordinary football career. He became Lionel’s representative when the Argentine was just 14 and remained closely involved in his professional affairs, providing support throughout his rise from a young talent in Rosario to one of the greatest players in football history.
Their football journey began long before Barcelona. Jorge coached his son at Abanderado Grandoli, a local club in Rosario, where Lionel started playing at four. When Messi moved to Barcelona at 13, Jorge accompanied him to Spain and played a crucial role during the difficult early period as his son adapted to a new country and pursued treatment for a growth-related condition.
Jorge continued to be a trusted presence throughout Messi’s career, including during the Barcelona years and beyond. He was also present for some of the defining moments of his son’s career, including Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The relationship between father and son remained exceptionally close even after Lionel established his own family and global career.
Jorge’s health had become a concern in recent months. During the 2026 World Cup, Messi was visibly emotional after scoring in Argentina’s opening match and later explained that his emotions were connected to personal difficulties away from football. The family subsequently confirmed that Jorge was undergoing medical treatment.
