Jorge Messi, the father and former agent of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness, his family confirmed. He passed away at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, the city where the Messi family has deep roots.
According to the family, Jorge spent his final months moving between the medical facility and his home in Rosario, surrounded by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and his children Rodrigo, Matías, María Sol, and Lionel. Reports indicate he died on Friday night after a long battle with an illness that had not been publicly specified in detail.
Lionel Messi had reportedly spent time with his father following this year's World Cup before returning to his club, Inter Miami, where he resumed playing roughly a week ago. The MLS side is scheduled to face Monterrey at home on Saturday in the 2026 Leagues Cup, though it remains unclear whether the Argentine captain will take part following his father's passing.
Jorge Messi's influence on his son's career was profound and began long before Lionel became one of the most decorated players in football history. He was a devoted supporter of Newell's Old Boys, and Lionel joined the club's youth ranks at just seven years old, training at the Malvinas academy. When Barcelona signed the then 13-year-old Lionel in 2001, the family relocated to Spain. While Celia and the other children eventually returned to Rosario, Jorge remained in Barcelona with his son, guiding him through the formative years of his career and later serving as his agent.
Under his father's guidance, Messi went on to become an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, lifting the Champions League four times and claiming ten La Liga titles across 17 seasons with Barcelona's first team. Reflecting on that relationship, Messi once said: "I always needed my dad's approval, ever since I was a kid. After every match, I'd ask him what he thought of how I played."
Speculation about Jorge's declining health had circulated during this year's World Cup. Messi broke down in tears while celebrating his opening goal in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, later explaining the emotion stemmed from "something unrelated to football" following "a few difficult, complicated days." His visible distress during the last-16 win over Egypt fueled further speculation about his father's condition, and the family subsequently released a statement acknowledging that Jorge was undergoing medical treatment, noting he was "under medical monitoring, recovering and evolving favourably within the condition he presents."
During that same tournament, the family also had to publicly address false reports from an Argentine television presenter claiming Jorge had already died, describing the incident as showing a "lack of sensitivity, respect and discretion" toward what they called a private family matter. The presenter later resigned.
Tributes poured in following confirmation of his death. Newell's Old Boys, where the Messi family's footballing story began, honored Jorge as "the pillar and the person who, with vision, rigour and affection, supported the career of the best player of all time, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini." The club added that his "constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory," extending condolences to Celia and all of Jorge's children.
Barcelona also paid tribute, thanking Jorge "for his commitment to our club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo's football career." The Argentine Football Association expressed its condolences as well, stating it stood "in solidarity with the entire family during this difficult time" and sent "the most heartfelt, warm, and affectionate embrace."
Based on reporting from Guardian Football, Independent Football, BBC Sport Football, and Standard Football.