According to various media outlets, Jorge Messi, the father of renowned footballer Lionel Messi, has sadly passed away at the age of 68. He played a pivotal role in shaping Lionel’s illustrious football career, serving as his representative and managing numerous off-field aspects of his son’s professional life. The captain of the Argentina national team has frequently credited his father for the significant influence he had on his journey to becoming one of the greatest players in the sport.
Event Context
Before taking an active role in his son’s career, Jorge was employed as a chemical technician and later transitioned to steelworking. In his youth, he played football as a midfielder, advancing through the ranks at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario. However, Jorge had to abandon his playing aspirations to fulfill his compulsory military service in Argentina.
Lionel Messi, who would emerge as one of the all-time greats in football, owes a significant part of his success to his father, Jorge, who served not only as a parent but also as his agent. Jorge managed many of Lionel’s business interests and was a constant presence during the formative years of his son’s career. He accompanied young Messi to Barcelona in the early 2000s for a trial that ultimately led to his enrollment at La Masia, the renowned youth academy of the club. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that culminated in Messi winning a record eight Ballon d’Or awards and leading Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022.
In a poignant memory shared during a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata, Leo reflected on the challenges he faced in Barcelona, expressing gratitude for his father’s unwavering support during this turbulent transition. Unfortunately, Jorge’s health issues prevented him from traveling to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, denying him the chance to witness Lionel compete for Argentina as he had done in Qatar four years prior. This tournament also carried emotional weight for Lionel, who revealed he was grappling with personal matters off the pitch.
Player Focus
“My father was always there for me,” Lionel Messi shared during a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata. “When we first arrived in Barcelona, there were times I would seclude myself in my room, crying. My dad might have done the same without my knowledge, as we both acted like we were fine, even though we weren’t. He once asked me if I wished to stay or return home during those tough times, and I chose to stay, so he stayed with me as well,” Messi recounted.
In related news, Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has passed away at the age of 68.
Jorge Messi played a pivotal role in managing Lionel’s career, negotiating contracts with Barcelona and facilitating his transitions to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. He also handled Lionel’s image rights and investments in various ventures, including real estate, hotels, and restaurants.
This emotional bond was apparent during a recent match against Algeria. After netting the first goal of his World Cup hat-trick, Messi was visibly moved and shed tears during his celebration. In the post-match press conference, he revealed that the emotion stemmed from “something unrelated to football,” and acknowledged that he had experienced “a few difficult, complicated days.”
