By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Argentina, August 8 ,2026 - Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of football icon Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina.
According to Argentine outlet Infobae, Jorge Messi died at around 10 p.m. on Friday, August 7, at a medical clinic in Rosario, the city where the Messi family has deep roots. He had been battling a prolonged illness and had been receiving medical treatment in recent months. His death has since been reported by multiple international outlets.
Jorge's passing marks a deeply personal loss for Lionel Messi, who has maintained a close relationship with his father throughout his extraordinary football career.
A father who played a central role in Messi's career#
Jorge Messi was far more than Lionel's father. He became one of the most influential figures in the footballer's professional journey, serving as his representative and helping manage his career and business affairs for many years.
From Lionel's childhood in Rosario to his move to Spain as a teenager, Jorge remained closely involved in the decisions surrounding his son's development.
Lionel began playing football in Rosario at a very young age, with his father among the people who supported his early development. When Barcelona came calling, the Messi family made the enormous decision to move to Spain so that Lionel could pursue his football ambitions.
That decision ultimately changed football history.
Lionel joined Barcelona's youth system at the age of 13 and went on to become the club's greatest goalscorer and one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport.
Throughout that journey, Jorge remained an important figure behind the scenes.
Jorge Messi's health had already become a matter of public concern during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In June, the Messi family confirmed that Jorge was experiencing a health problem and was under medical supervision. The family said he was recovering and progressing favorably at the time, while also asking the media and public to respect the family's privacy.
The situation became particularly emotional during the World Cup when Lionel Messi was seen in tears after scoring for Argentina.
Messi later indicated that his emotions were connected to difficult personal circumstances rather than the football match itself. Reports at the time linked those emotions to the situation involving his father.
It is important to note that the exact medical condition Jorge was suffering from has not been publicly disclosed by the family, and no official cause of death has been announced. Reports consistently describe his death as following a prolonged illness.
Jorge Messi's death also comes after an unfortunate episode earlier in the summer.
In June, an Argentine television presenter incorrectly announced that Jorge had died. The report was false, and the Messi family subsequently confirmed that he was alive and receiving medical treatment. The presenter later apologised and resigned following the incident.
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That history makes the current reporting particularly sensitive.
Unlike the June incident, the news of Jorge Messi's death is now being reported by established Argentine media, with Infobae reporting that he died Friday night in Rosario. Multiple international publications have independently reported the same development.
Jorge Messi's legacy will inevitably be connected to his son's remarkable career, but his role extended beyond simply being Lionel Messi's representative.
He was part of the family support system that helped Lionel navigate the enormous challenges that accompanied his rise from a young player in Rosario to a global sporting superstar.
Lionel's journey took him from Newell's Old Boys to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and eventually Inter Miami, while he also became the central figure in Argentina's national team and one of the most successful players football has ever produced.
Jorge remained involved in his son's professional affairs for much of that journey.
His influence was particularly important during Lionel's formative years, when the family had to make major decisions about his football development and future.
Messi family asks for privacy#
As news of Jorge Messi's death spreads around the football world, attention will now turn to Lionel Messi and the rest of the family.
Jorge is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their children, including Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol, according to reports about the family.
For a footballer whose life has unfolded under enormous public attention, this is ultimately a deeply private family tragedy.
Tributes are expected to continue coming from clubs, players, former teammates and football organisations around the world as news of Jorge's death reaches the global football community.
For Lionel Messi, however, Jorge was not simply the father of a football legend or a representative who helped manage a historic career.
He was his father, a central figure who stood beside him from his earliest days in Rosario through an extraordinary journey that took him to the very top of world football.
Jorge Messi was 68.
May he rest in peace.