Frank Rondel
Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi has died at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, after a long illness. The longtime representative and one of the central figures behind Lionel Messi’s career died at a medical clinic on Friday night, August 7, as customreceipt.com reports. The family confirmed his death to Reuters.
Jorge Messi died in a Rosario clinic
Jorge Messi had spent his final months moving between a medical center in Rosario and his home. His wife Celia Cuccittini and children Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol were with him during that period.
Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Jorge died at around 22:00 on August 7. He had been fighting an illness for some time.
The key facts reported after his death are:
- Jorge Messi was 68.
- He died in Rosario, Argentina.
- He had undergone medical treatment for an unspecified illness.
- He was Lionel Messi’s father and longtime representative.
The Associated Press also confirmed the death, citing Newell’s Old Boys and football authorities. The club described Jorge as a central figure who supported Lionel throughout his career.
Jorge Messi’s role in Lionel Messi’s career
Jorge was far more than the footballer’s father. He travelled with a young Lionel to Barcelona in the early 2000s and later handled contracts and major career decisions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jorge Horacio Messi |
| Age | 68 |
| Place of death | Rosario, Argentina |
| Wife | Celia Cuccittini |
| Children | Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, María Sol |
| Role | Father and longtime representative of Lionel Messi |
Lionel repeatedly described his father as a decisive source of support. Reuters recalled his earlier words about seeking Jorge’s opinion after matches from childhood onward.
Lionel Messi had spoken about difficult days
Concerns about Jorge Messi’s health became public during the 2026 World Cup. Lionel became emotional after scoring against Algeria and later said his reaction concerned something unrelated to football.
On June 18, the family said Jorge was receiving medical care and was then progressing favourably. They also asked the media to respect the family’s privacy.
Following Jorge Messi’s death, the Argentine Football Association announced a minute of silence at matches across the country. Players, coaches and referees were also set to wear black armbands. Barcelona, Newell’s Old Boys and other football organizations sent condolences to the Messi family.
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