Argentina star Lionel Messi mourns death of father

Lionel Messi is mourning the death of his father and long-time agent, Jorge Messi, who passed away on the evening of August 7 in a clinic in Rosario, according to Infobae. He was 68 and had been battling a prolonged illness.

Jorge Messi died at around 22:00 local time. In recent years, he had faced ongoing health issues, though details of his condition had been kept largely private.

For decades, Jorge Messi played a central role in shaping his son’s career, acting not only as a role model but also as his agent and adviser. He managed key decisions off the pitch and remained closely involved during pivotal stages of Messi’s professional journey.

He was instrumental in securing medical treatment for his son during childhood, when Lionel Messi required therapy for a growth hormone condition. Jorge also supported him through the family’s relocation to Europe, staying by his side during their early years in Barcelona, where Messi would go on to build his career.

The loss is expected to be deeply personal for the Argentine forward, given the close and enduring relationship between father and son throughout his life and career.

Earlier this year, on June 17, the newspaper La Opinión reported that Messi’s tears after scoring his first goal in the FIFA World Cup opening match against Algeria (3–0) may have been linked to concerns over his father’s health. The player’s family later confirmed that Jorge Messi had been undergoing treatment for an illness.

By Tamilla Hasanova