Lionel Messi’s Father Dies at 68 Following Months of Health Issues
Jorge Messi, the father and longtime business manager of soccer legend Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 following months of health problems.
Jorge reportedly died at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, near the Messi family’s longtime home, at approximately 10 p.m. local time Friday.
The news was initially reported by Argentine media before Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Lionel Messi began his legendary soccer career, confirmed his father’s death in an emotional statement.
“Club Atletico Newell’s Old Boys bids farewell with deep sorrow and grief to Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in the city of Rosario,” the club said in Spanish.
Newell’s described Jorge as a lifelong supporter of the club and credited him with playing an essential role in guiding his son’s journey from a young player in Argentina to one of the greatest soccer stars in history.
“Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini,” the club said.
“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.”
The club concluded its tribute by offering condolences to Jorge’s wife and children.
“The Board of Directors, members, athletes, and the entire leprosa family embrace with affection Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, and all their loved ones and close ones in this difficult moment,” the statement said.
CONMEBOL, the governing body for South American soccer, also issued a tribute.
“CONMEBOL deeply regrets the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi,” the organization said.
“We accompany Lionel, his family, friends, and loved ones with respect and affection in this moment of profound grief. May he rest in peace.”
No official cause of death had been announced as of Saturday morning.
Jorge’s health, however, had become a source of concern in recent months.
He reportedly suffered a medical episode at his home in January and was subsequently hospitalized.
Jorge underwent cardiovascular and neurological testing following the episode, but the Messi family never publicly disclosed a diagnosis.
The seriousness of his condition became more apparent during the World Cup when Lionel Messi broke down in tears following Argentina’s opening group-stage match against Algeria, per the Daily Mail.
Messi had scored a hat trick but became emotional when speaking to reporters afterward.
“No, honestly it’s something completely unrelated to sports,” Messi said. “It’s been a few difficult days, complicated.”
Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann subsequently reported that Messi’s emotions were connected to his father’s declining health.
“This has to do with his father. His father is not in good health,” Feinmann said at the time.
“For quite some time now, several months, since last year,” he continued. “And this week there were some situations that slightly worsened his health, and Messi is going through this internal struggle. In other words, like any human being.”
Jorge’s health became the subject of headlines again in June when an Argentine broadcaster incorrectly reported that he had died.
The broadcaster later apologized for the false report and stepped down from her position.
Two months later, his death has now been confirmed.
Jorge played a central role in virtually every stage of his son’s extraordinary career.
Before managing Lionel’s business affairs, Jorge worked for a steel manufacturer in Villa Constitucion.
He married Celia Cuccittini in 1978, and the couple raised four children: Rodrigo, Matias, Lionel and Maria Sol.
Jorge and Celia remained together until his death and split their time between Rosario and Miami in recent years as Lionel continued his career with Inter Miami.
Jorge was instrumental in guiding his son’s career from an early age.
Lionel began playing for Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina before leaving his home country to join Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2000.
What followed was one of the most celebrated careers in soccer history.
Messi spent more than two decades with Barcelona before leaving the Spanish club for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, a move in which Jorge played a major role as his son’s representative.
After two seasons in France, Messi moved to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Jorge remained closely involved throughout those moves, operating as both his son’s agent and de facto business manager while helping oversee the commercial empire that developed around the soccer superstar.
Father and son also appeared together during their 2016 tax fraud case in Spain.
Both were convicted of three tax offenses involving income from Lionel Messi’s image rights between 2007 and 2009.
They initially received suspended 21-month prison sentences, with Jorge’s sentence later reduced to 15 months by Spain’s Supreme Court in 2017. Both were also ordered to pay substantial fines.
Despite the controversies that occasionally accompanied Lionel’s career away from the field, Jorge remained one of the most important figures behind his son’s rise.
From Messi’s childhood in Rosario through Barcelona, Paris and eventually Miami, his father was a constant presence.
Now, after months of private health struggles, the man who helped guide Lionel Messi from a young Argentine prospect to global soccer superstardom has died at 68.
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