Lionel Messi and his late dad, Jorge Messi
Lionel Messi is mourning the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 after battling a prolonged illness.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Jorge had been fighting his illness during and after the 2026 World Cup, with his condition becoming increasingly serious in recent months.
He spent time in hospital before returning home to Rosario, where he was cared for by his wife, Celia. His children, Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol, also visited him, while Lionel remained in regular contact to stay updated on his father’s condition.
The situation was already weighing heavily on Messi during the World Cup.
Romano reported that the Argentina captain had been unable to see his father for two months and, at one point, “even considered leaving to go see his dad Jorge.”
Messi’s emotions were also laid bare after he scored against Algeria. The forward broke down in tears, with Romano reporting that the moment was the first major indication of the difficult situation his father was going through.
After Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain, Messi immediately travelled to Rosario to spend time with Jorge.
Reuters, which also confirmed Jorge’s death after speaking with members of the family, reported that he died at a medical clinic in Rosario following his prolonged illness. The news agency also noted Jorge’s important role in Messi’s career, having represented his son for several years during the early stages of his professional journey.
For Messi, Jorge was far more than a representative. He was the father who stood beside him from the beginning, including during the difficult journey from Rosario to Barcelona and eventually to the top of world football.
Reuters also recalled Messi’s own words about the importance of his father’s approval, something that remained meaningful to him even after he had become one of the most decorated players in football history.
Jorge largely stayed away from the spotlight while supporting his children and family, but his influence on Messi’s life and career was never in doubt.
His death comes after months in which Messi had remained closely involved with his father’s situation, despite the demands of international and club football.
Now, away from the stadiums and the records, Messi faces one of the hardest moments of his life.
