Lionel Messi's Father Jorge Messi Dies at 68

Jorge Messi, father and long-time adviser to Lionel Messi, died on Friday evening in a hospital in Rosario after a prolonged illness. He was 68.

Newell’s Old Boys, the Rosario club where Lionel began his youth career, confirmed the death on Saturday afternoon. The club’s statement read:

“His constant support and his leadership role behind the scenes were crucial in supporting every step of Lionel’s journey, from his beginnings to the highest glory in world football. Thank you for teaching him to love these colours.”

Jorge Messi stood by his son throughout his professional career, acting as his primary adviser after Lionel left Newell’s Old Boys for Barcelona at the age of 13. During the recent World Cup in North America, the family had already disclosed that Jorge was dealing with a health crisis, stating he was “under medical supervision and making progress within his means.”

The situation drew unwanted attention when TV presenter Florencia Pena mistakenly announced Jorge Messi’s death during a live broadcast on streaming platform Luzu TV. She later acknowledged the production team had provided her with false information.

“I apologise to the Messi family for the difficult time they are going through. I am infinitely sorry that I contributed to this suffering,”

Pena wrote on Instagram, before resigning from her position at Luzu TV.

Born in 1958, Jorge initially worked in a steel factory. Once he identified the talent in his third son, he redirected his focus entirely toward Lionel’s development. The young Messi, slight in build, joined Barcelona’s youth academy at 13, underwent hormone therapy, turned professional at 17, and became central to the club’s most decorated era. Between 2009 and 2015, Barcelona claimed the Champions League three times. Lionel went on to win the Ballon d’Or eight times and, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, defined an entire generation of football.

As the father of four children, Jorge Messi handled the contract negotiations that shaped his son’s career at the highest level, including moves to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and, two years later, to Inter Miami.

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