Lionel Messi’s father dead at 68, his support marked with ‘vision, rigor, and affection’

The soccer world is mourning the loss of Jorge Messi, the father of legendary Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who passed away on Saturday in Rosario, Argentina. He was 68 years old.

A Lasting Legacy

The news was confirmed by the Rosario-based Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys, which noted that Jorge had been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness in recent months. The club paid tribute to him as a vital pillar in the life of the soccer icon, crediting him—alongside Lionel’s mother, Celia Cuccittini—for supporting his career with "vision, rigor, and affection."

The South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, also released a statement extending its deepest condolences to Lionel Messi during this difficult time.

Supporting a Soccer Icon

Jorge Messi’s influence on his son’s historic career cannot be overstated. A former steelworker and chemical technician who played as a midfielder for Newell’s Old Boys, Jorge managed his son’s business affairs and served as his agent. He was the driving force behind Lionel's early development, famously traveling with him to Barcelona in the early 2000s for the trial that secured his spot at La Masia.

Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and has collected eight Ballon d'Or awards, recently faced an emotional period during a tournament match against Algeria. After scoring one of his three goals, Messi was visibly moved, later revealing his tears were for "a reason unrelated to sports." The Messi family had previously confirmed Jorge was dealing with health challenges following media reports on the situation.

As 205focus.com continues to track updates from the sports world, our thoughts remain with the Messi family following this significant loss.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.