Jorge Messi, the father and long-time agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68, Newell’s Old Boys announced. Argentine media reported that he died on Friday in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario.
Newell’s Old Boys paid tribute to Jorge’s role in his son’s career, highlighting the support and guidance he provided behind the scenes throughout Lionel’s rise in football.
Lionel Messi returned to Argentina on Saturday with his partner, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children. A private funeral is scheduled to take place on Sunday in Pérez, near Rosario, according to local administrative sources cited by AFP.
The death follows concerns over Jorge Messi’s health during the 2026 World Cup. In June, the Messi family said he was under medical supervision for an unspecified health issue and asked for privacy and responsible reporting.
Jorge was closely involved in Lionel Messi’s career from its earliest stages. A former factory worker, he accompanied his 13-year-old son to Spain in 2000 and later became his agent and representative, handling major stages of his career at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Tributes followed the announcement, with Inter Miami expressing support for its captain and the Messi family, while the Spanish Football Federation also conveyed its condolences.
Jorge Messi had largely maintained a private public profile despite his major role in his son’s career. He was also involved alongside Lionel in a Spanish tax case that concluded in 2017 with financial penalties. A separate case involving allegations of tax offences, fraud and money laundering was dismissed in 2021.
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