Buenos Aires: Jorge Messi, the father of Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness.
Jorge Messi passed away on Friday at a medical facility in the Argentine city of Rosario, according to reports. His death marks a deeply personal loss for the football icon, whose father played a major role in supporting and guiding his career from an early age.
Lionel Messi has long spoken about the importance of his father in his life and football journey. Jorge was one of the key figures behind the development of his son’s career and remained closely involved with him throughout the early and most important stages of his rise to global stardom.
A Major Influence on Messi’s Career
Jorge Messi was one of the most important supporters of Lionel Messi during the early years of his football career.
From the beginning of Lionel’s journey, his father played a significant role in helping him navigate the challenges associated with becoming a professional footballer.
When Messi moved to Spain and began developing his career at FC Barcelona, Jorge remained an important source of support. He was involved in managing aspects of his son’s professional career and also served as his representative for many years.
His role extended beyond professional matters. Jorge was widely regarded as one of the people closest to Lionel Messi, providing advice and guidance as his son developed from a young footballer into one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Time Spent Together After the World Cup
According to the report, Lionel Messi spent time with his father after the 2026 FIFA World Cup before returning to his club, Inter Miami.
After spending time with Jorge, Messi rejoined his club and returned to action approximately a week ago.
The period spent with his father came as Jorge was reportedly dealing with a prolonged illness.
Messi’s decision to spend time with his father reflected the close relationship the two shared despite the footballer’s demanding international and club schedule.
Messi’s Memories of His Father
Lionel Messi has previously spoken publicly about his dependence on his father’s guidance during his childhood and formative football years.
In one of his reflections about his father, Messi said that he had always needed his father’s guidance since childhood.
He recalled that after every match, he would ask Jorge what he thought about his performance.
The comments reflected the importance Messi placed on his father’s opinion, even after he had become one of the most successful footballers in the world.
For Messi, Jorge was not simply a parent but also a trusted adviser whose views remained important throughout his football career.
Support From Barcelona Days
Jorge Messi supported his son’s football ambitions from the early stages of his career.
When Lionel Messi began making a name for himself at Barcelona, Jorge remained involved in his professional development.
As Messi progressed through the club’s youth system and eventually established himself in the first team, his father continued to provide support and guidance.
Lionel Messi went on to become one of Barcelona’s greatest-ever players, winning numerous domestic and international trophies and establishing himself as a global football superstar.
He later moved to Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Throughout those changes, Jorge remained an important figure in his son’s professional life.
A Personal Loss for the Football Star
Messi’s father’s death is likely to be a particularly emotional moment for the Argentine star because of the central role Jorge played throughout his life.
The relationship between the two extended from Messi’s childhood football days to the height of his international career.
Jorge was present during many of the defining stages of his son’s development and was closely associated with his career for decades.
While Lionel Messi has experienced extraordinary success on the football field, his father’s support remained a constant part of his personal and professional journey.
Legacy of a Father’s Support
Jorge Messi’s influence on his son’s career will remain an important part of Lionel Messi’s story.
From childhood training sessions and early football ambitions to Barcelona and international success, Jorge provided guidance at crucial moments.
His work as Messi’s representative for many years also meant that he was directly involved in important professional decisions.
However, Messi’s own words about seeking his father’s opinion after matches demonstrate that their relationship went beyond football management.
For Lionel Messi, Jorge was a father, mentor and trusted adviser.
His death at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness brings an end to the life of a man who remained closely connected to one of the most celebrated sporting careers of the modern era.
As Messi continues his career with Inter Miami, he will now face a deeply personal period of mourning following the loss of the person who had supported him since childhood.
The football world is expected to extend condolences to Lionel Messi and his family following Jorge Messi’s death.
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