ROSARIO (Realist English). Jorge Horacio Messi, father and longtime agent of legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, passed away on 7 August at the age of 68 at a medical clinic in his hometown of Rosario. According to local media, death occurred around 10:00 PM Argentine time.

Confirmation of the death came from Lionel Messi’s first club, Newell’s Old Boys. On social media, the club described Jorge as “a pillar and a man who, with foresight, rigour and love, supported the career of the greatest player of all time, alongside his wife Celia Cuccittini.”

Chronology of events

DateEvent
19 June 2026Jorge Messi’s 68th birthday
June–July 2026Lionel Messi at the World Cup in the US, father seriously ill in Rosario
13 July 2026World Cup Final: Argentina lose to Spain
Late JulyMessi returns to Rosario for 10 days to spend time with his father
2 August 2026Messi returns to Inter Miami and plays
7 August 2026Jorge Messi dies at a clinic in Rosario
8 August 2026Newell’s Old Boys officially announces the death
9 August 2026Lionel Messi flies from Miami to Rosario for the funeral

Source: local media, Newell’s Old Boys statements

Illness and final months

In recent months, Jorge Messi had been undergoing treatment for an unspecified illness – the nature of the condition was never officially disclosed. He was at a medical centre in Rosario but periodically returned home, where he was cared for by his wife Celia and children.

News of his father’s health problems emerged during the 2026 World Cup in the United States. After Lionel Messi scored a goal in the match against Algeria, he could not hold back tears and later explained: “Honestly, it’s mainly because of my family. Because they are always there, always supporting me. We are going through a difficult time right now.” Around the same time, Argentine media widely reported on the father’s illness, sparking anger from the Messi family, who issued a statement demanding respect for their privacy.

After the World Cup ended, Messi returned to Rosario and spent about ten days with his father, then returned to Inter Miami. His last match with the club was on 6 August – he scored two goals and provided an assist.

Jorge Messi’s journey: from steelworker to architect of his son’s career

PeriodRole / Achievement
YouthWorked at a steel plant, played in the youth teams of Newell’s Old Boys
2000Decision to move to Spain for his son’s treatment, organised a trial at Barcelona
2000–2013Managed his son’s career at Barcelona, handled contracts
2013Tax scandal: paid over €5 million ($6.6 million) in settlement
2021–2023Negotiated transfers to PSG and then to Inter Miami
2026Managed image rights, investments in real estate, hotels and restaurants

Source: biographical data, public sources

Reaction from the football world

  • Newell’s Old Boys: “Jorge was a pillar and a man who, with foresight, rigour and love, supported the career of the greatest player of all time.”
  • CONMEBOL expressed condolences “with respect and love for Lionel.”
  • Claudio Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association, issued a statement recognising Jorge’s role “in raising a man of values: humble, respectful and…”
  • All football matches in Argentina are being held with a minute of silence, with players wearing black armbands.
  • Inter Miami offered Messi full support, granting him unlimited leave to travel to Argentina.

Funeral

The farewell to Jorge Messi will take place on Sunday, 9 August, in a private ceremony at the El Prado cemetery in the town of Pérez, near Rosario. Lionel Messi flew from Miami to Argentina early on 9 August to attend the service. According to local media, the funeral will be attended only by family and close friends.

Strengths and pressure points

For Lionel Messi, the loss of his father is a profound personal tragedy. Jorge was not just a parent but the main adviser, manager and confidant throughout his entire career: he negotiated contracts with Barcelona, PSG and Inter Miami, managed image rights and investments in real estate, hotels and restaurants.

The Messi family had kept the father’s illness private for months, shielding him from public attention. Now, after his passing, the football world offers its condolences, and Lionel himself – perhaps for the first time in many years – finds himself without the one person who had been by his side from the very beginning.

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