Lionel Messi’s Father, Jorge Messi, Dies at 68 — The Man Behind a Football Legend
Jorge Horacio Messi, the father and longtime adviser of Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina.
Jorge passed away on August 8, 2026, at Sanatorio Centro after months of illness. Lionel reportedly rushed home to be with his family for a private farewell, as the Messi family asked for privacy during the difficult moment.
Jorge had been far more than Lionel’s father. He was the man who stood beside him when Lionel was only 13 and faced an uncertain future in Barcelona.
When Lionel struggled to adapt to life in Spain, Jorge stayed with him. Lionel later recalled that his father asked whether he wanted to remain in Barcelona or return home. Lionel chose to stay — and Jorge stayed with him.
That decision helped change football history.
Jorge later became Lionel’s longtime adviser and negotiator, quietly handling much of the business surrounding his son’s extraordinary career while rarely seeking the spotlight himself.
His health had become a private family matter, and concerns intensified during the 2026 World Cup. After Lionel became emotional following a match, he explained that his tears were connected to difficult personal circumstances unrelated to football.
Just weeks later, the family received the devastating news.
Lionel’s club, Inter Miami, shared its condolences, while Newell’s Old Boys remembered Jorge as a loyal supporter and the father of Argentina’s captain.
Behind one of football’s greatest careers was a father who stayed beside his son through the hardest moments.
Rest in peace, Jorge Messi. 🕊️