Lionel Messi's father and lifelong manager Jorge Messi dies at 68 in Rosario
Jorge Messi, father and lifelong manager of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, died on 7 August at age 68 in a Rosario clinic after a long illness, prompting tributes from clubs and federations across South America and Europe.
Death in Rosario
Jorge Messi, father and lifelong manager of Lionel Messi, died on the evening of Friday, 7 August at the age of 68 in a clinic in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. The family confirmed the death to Reuters, and the Centro clinic confirmed it to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. The clinic's medical director, Carlos Mackey, said in a statement that no further details about the medical circumstances would be released for privacy reasons and out of respect for the family. Argentine media reported that Jorge Messi had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. He had spent his final months alternating between the hospital and home, accompanied by his wife Celia and children Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol.
A father who shaped a career
Born in 1956, Jorge Messi worked in a steel factory and was trained as a chemical technician before recognising the talent of his third son. When Lionel was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, Jorge organised the necessary treatment and accompanied the 13-year-old to Barcelona, where FC Barcelona admitted him to the La Masia youth academy and covered the high medical costs. He remained in Spain with Lionel while the rest of the family returned to Argentina. Jorge went on to negotiate every major contract of his son's career, including the transfers to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and to Inter Miami two years later. In 2016, father and son were convicted of tax fraud in three cases in Spain, each receiving 21-month sentences that were converted to probation after repaying approximately 4.1 million euros in taxes plus fines.
Lionel Messi had spoken about the close bond with his father in an interview.
He was always critical of me, and that spurred me on to constantly improve myself. During my entire sporting career, my father was always by my side in this regard. When I had finished a game, I would write to him, or we would watch a game together and discuss it.
The World Cup shadow
During the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the family had disclosed in June that Jorge had health problems, without specifying the illness. After his hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 opening win against Algeria, the 39-year-old Messi broke down in tears on the pitch.
It had nothing to do with sport. I have been through some difficult and complicated days.
A false report of Jorge's death also circulated during the tournament. Argentine actress and presenter Florencia Peña apologised, ended her collaboration with broadcaster Luzu TV, and the employees involved in the misinformation were dismissed. After Argentina's 0-1 defeat by Spain in the World Cup final, Messi flew to Rosario to be with his father. He returned to the United States on 29 July, according to the newspaper La Nación. Teammate Rodrigo de Paul was reported to have been a particular source of support during this period.
- Family discloses Jorge Messi's health problems during World Cup
- Messi cries after hat-trick against Algeria; false death report airs on Luzu TV
- Messi flies to Rosario to be with his father after Argentina's 0-1 loss to Spain
- Messi returns to the United States, per La Nación
- Jorge Messi dies at 68 in Rosario clinic
- Tributes from Conmebol, Barcelona, Newell's Old Boys and football associations
Tributes from the football world
Conmebol expressed its condolences on X, and the Argentine and Spanish football associations, Newell's Old Boys, and FC Barcelona all paid tribute. Newell's, Messi's youth club, wrote that Jorge had accompanied the career of the best player of all time with foresight, discipline and affection. Barcelona, where Messi played from 2000 to 2021, thanked Jorge for entrusting the club with the beginnings and most glorious years of his son's career.
