Jorge Messi, the father of Argentina captain and football superstar Lionel Messi, has reportedly died at the age of 68.
According to multiple reports from media outlets in Argentina and Spain, including Infobae, Jorge Messi reportedly passed away in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, on Friday night at around 10 p.m. local time.
The reported death has generated widespread attention because of Jorge’s important role in his son’s extraordinary football career.
“Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Andrés Messi, died last night at 10 p.m. in a clinic in the city of Rosario, Argentina,” according to information cited by Infobae.
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Jorge Messi was central to Lionel Messi’s career
Jorge Messi was not simply Lionel Messi’s father. He also became one of the most important people behind the footballer’s professional career.
As Lionel developed from a promising young player in Rosario into one of the greatest footballers of his generation, Jorge played an important role in managing his son’s affairs.
He remained closely involved in negotiations, contracts and other aspects of Lionel’s professional life as the footballer rose through the ranks.
Lionel eventually moved from Argentina to Spain as a youngster to continue his football development with Barcelona, beginning a journey that would transform him into a global sporting icon.
Throughout much of that journey, Jorge remained a familiar and influential presence.
A father who witnessed an extraordinary career
Jorge Messi witnessed his son achieve virtually every major honour available in football.
Lionel became a record-breaking star at Barcelona before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain and later Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
His international career also reached historic heights.
Lionel captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, finally winning the biggest trophy in international football after years of disappointment.
He has also won multiple Ballon d’Or awards and numerous domestic and international titles.
For Jorge, watching his son achieve those milestones represented the culmination of years of support and involvement.
Reports of Messi’s emotional moment
The reported death also comes after an emotional moment involving Lionel Messi during Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
Messi reportedly broke down in tears after scoring his first goal against Algeria.
Following the match, the football star insisted that his emotions were not related to football.
The moment attracted considerable attention from supporters, particularly because Messi has often spoken about the importance of his family throughout his career.
The latest reports about Jorge’s death have therefore added further emotional weight to the story.
Family asks for privacy
According to the information provided by the family, Jorge Messi had been dealing with a health condition and receiving medical treatment.
The family has urged the public and media to respect their privacy during what is expected to be an extremely difficult period.
No further details about his condition have been widely disclosed.
The request for privacy reflects the family’s desire to mourn away from the intense global attention that has followed Lionel Messi throughout his career.
A major loss for the Messi family
Jorge Messi’s reported death represents a significant personal loss for Lionel Messi and the rest of the family.
Although Lionel has spent decades in the international spotlight, his father remained an important figure behind the scenes.
From Lionel’s early years in Rosario to his emergence as one of the world’s most famous athletes, Jorge was closely connected to his son’s journey.
His influence extended beyond football, with Jorge frequently involved in managing aspects of Lionel’s professional career.
Tributes expected from football world
Given Lionel Messi’s enormous global popularity, news of his father’s reported death is expected to generate condolences from football clubs, players, supporters and sporting organisations around the world.
Messi’s career has inspired millions of fans, while his family story has also attracted significant interest.
For many supporters, Jorge Messi represents an important part of the story behind the football icon.
The reported death of Jorge at 68 marks the loss of a father who played an influential role during one of the most remarkable sporting journeys of the modern era.
As the Messi family mourns, fans around the world are likely to respect their request for privacy while remembering Jorge Messi’s contribution to his son’s extraordinary career.
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