Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has passed away at the age of 68, news agency Reuters reported. Jorge, who had been battling illness for some time, died at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, with the family confirming the news to Reuters.
Jorge Messi passes away. (AFP)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Jorge, who also worked as Messi’s representative, had been in poor health in recent months. According to the family, he spent much of his final months moving between a medical centre in Rosario and his home as he received treatment. He was surrounded by his wife, Celia, and his children Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol during this difficult period. Jorge played an important role in Messi’s career from his early days and remained one of the most influential figures in the footballer’s life.
The Inter Miami star also spent time with his family in Argentina after the FIFA World Cup, taking a break from football to be with his father. Messi stayed in Rosario and spent valuable time with Jorge before returning to the United States. He made his return to action for Inter Miami a week ago, but the time he spent with his family came during a difficult period. He scored a brace in the last match he played earlier this week.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Messi relied heavily on his father’s advice throughout his career, with Jorge also handling several aspects of his son’s football affairs away from the pitch.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Messi relied heavily on his father’s advice throughout his career, with Jorge also handling several aspects of his son’s football affairs away from the pitch.
{{/usCountry}}
“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,” Messi said previously.
Lionel Messi's emotional battle at 2026 World Cup
Jorge was also unwell during the 2026 World Cup and was unable to travel to the United States to watch Argentina, unlike the 2022 tournament when he was present to support his son. Messi, meanwhile, went through an emotional period during the competition.
After scoring his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria, Messi broke down in tears while celebrating his opening goal. Speaking at the press conference later, the Argentine star explained that the tears were caused by “something unrelated to football” and came after he had experienced “a few difficult, complicated days.”
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
A few days later, the Messi family released a statement addressing Jorge’s “health situation” and confirmed that he was undergoing medical treatment. Jorge’s condition had kept him away from the tournament, with his health becoming a concern for the family during what was otherwise a memorable World Cup for Lionel.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Football/Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi dies at 68: Report
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
