According to a report by Reuters, Jorge Messi, the father of soccer superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. Jorge had been struggling with health issues for some time and passed away at a medical facility in Rosario, Argentina. The family has confirmed this sad news to Reuters.
Lionel Messi’s emotional battle at 2026 World Cup
In recent months, Jorge, who served as Messi’s representative, faced significant health challenges. Family members shared that he spent much of his last days alternating between a medical facility in Rosario and home while undergoing treatment. Throughout this tough time, he was supported by his wife, Celia, and their children, Rodrigo, Matías, and María. Jorge was a pivotal figure in Messi’s life and career, influencing him from his early years.
Following the FIFA World Cup, the Inter Miami star took time off from football to reconnect with his family in Argentina, prioritizing his father’s well-being. Messi returned to Rosario, cherishing moments with Jorge before heading back to the United States. Though he resumed play for Inter Miami just a week ago, he navigated this challenging period with his family close by, scoring a brace in his latest match.
Unfortunately, Jorge’s health issues also affected his ability to attend the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., a stark contrast to the 2022 tournament when he was able to support Messi in person. As Messi dealt with this emotional turmoil during the competition, the family issued a statement a few days later regarding Jorge’s health situation and confirmed he was receiving medical treatment. His declining health overshadowed the otherwise remarkable World Cup experience for Lionel.
Player Focus
Throughout his career, Messi has consistently sought guidance from his father, Jorge, who has also managed many of Messi’s football-related matters off the field. “Since childhood, I’ve always looked to my dad for approval. After each match, I would ask for his thoughts on my performance,” Messi shared in the past. Following his historic first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria, Messi was visibly emotional, shedding tears as he celebrated his initial goal. In a subsequent press conference, the Argentine superstar revealed that his tears stemmed from “issues unrelated to football,” citing a recent period of “challenging and complicated days.”
