Jorge Messi, father and longtime manager of football superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68, throwing the Messi family and football world into mourning.
The Argentine media reported that Jorge passed away around 10pm on Friday at a sanatorium in Rosario, Argentina, after battling a prolonged illness.
Jorge, who was married to Celia Cuccittini, was the father of four children — Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol — but remained best known as the man who stood firmly behind Lionel’s journey from a young talent in Argentina to a global football legend.
He played a crucial role in shaping Messi’s career, especially during the youngster’s difficult early years when he needed expensive growth hormone treatment.
After attempts to secure the treatment in Argentina failed, Jorge helped arrange Lionel’s move to Spain at just 13 years old to join Barcelona, a decision that changed football history forever.
Jorge later stayed beside his son in Spain during the challenging early days of his European adventure, while the rest of the family remained in Rosario.
Looking back on those struggles in a 2007 interview, Messi recalled how his father stood by him through the toughest moments.
He said Jorge once asked whether he wanted to continue chasing his dream in Spain or return home, but Messi chose to stay — and his father remained with him.
That sacrifice paved the way for Messi’s historic career at Barcelona, where he became one of the most decorated players in football history.
Beyond being a father, Jorge also became the trusted figure who handled many of his son’s off-field affairs, including major contract negotiations and commercial deals.
Despite his influence, he kept a low profile and rarely spoke publicly about his son’s success.
In one emotional interview, Jorge praised Lionel not just as a football genius but as a person, saying their shared struggles had made the family stronger.
The family’s difficult moments had resurfaced during the 2026 World Cup when Messi became emotional after Argentina’s opening match. Following a hat-trick, the football icon revealed he had gone through “difficult, complicated days” because of a family issue.
The Messi family later disclosed that Jorge was receiving medical care and was recovering under supervision.
Before becoming known worldwide as Messi’s father, Jorge worked as a chemical technician at Acindar, an Argentine steel company, where he rose to become a manager. He had also played football as a midfielder in Newell’s Old Boys’ youth system before leaving the sport after a military service call-up.
Though he stayed away from the spotlight, Jorge Messi’s influence remained deeply woven into the story of one of football’s greatest-ever players. His death marks the end of the journey of the man who helped a young boy from Rosario chase — and achieve — a dream that conquered the world.
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