Lionel Messi loses father Jorge Messi at 68

Argentina football legend Lionel Messi is mourning the death of his father and agent, Jorge Messi, who died at the age of 68.

Jorge, who played an important role in shaping his son’s extraordinary football career, died on Friday in a hospital in Rosario, according to Argentine media reports. His death was announced on Saturday by Messi’s childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys.

“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel,” Newell’s Old Boys said in a social media tribute.

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The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also expressed its condolences to the Messi family, extending its support to the Argentina legend and his loved ones.

“On behalf of Spanish football, we wish to convey all our love and affection to Lionel and his loved ones during this time of deep sorrow,” the RFEF said.

The man behind Messi’s rise

Jorge Messi was far more than Lionel’s father. He was his first coach, biggest supporter and later his agent, playing a crucial role in the journey that transformed a talented boy from Rosario into one of the greatest footballers in history.

A former metal factory worker, Jorge coached Lionel during his childhood in Argentina and remained by his side when the teenager moved to Spain to pursue his football dream.

In 2000, Jorge left behind his job, wife and three other children in Argentina to accompany 13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona.

The move was difficult for both father and son.

“When we arrived in Barcelona, I used to lock myself in my room to cry alone, and my father did the same — either without me seeing him or thinking I didn’t see him,” Messi recalled.

“We pretended we were both fine, but we were struggling.”

Jorge eventually asked his son whether he wanted to continue pursuing his dream or return home.

“When things were tough, my father even asked me what I wanted to do, whether I wanted to keep going or go back home. I wanted to continue, so he stayed with me,” Messi said.

That decision proved transformational.

From father to football agent

Jorge helped finalise Lionel’s first contract with Barcelona and subsequently became his son’s agent and principal representative.

He continued to manage Messi’s affairs during his career at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and, later, Inter Miami.

Lionel has repeatedly acknowledged the influence his father had on his development, both as a footballer and as a person.

“My father helped me enormously. He is very critical of me. That made me always want to push myself further,” Messi said in a 2022 interview with DirecTV Sports.

Although Jorge remained largely private, his deep bond with his son was occasionally revealed in interviews.

“The day Leo stops playing, I think a dream will shatter for me, and I won’t watch football anymore,” he told German magazine Kicker in 2013.

A family’s difficult moment

Jorge’s health had been the subject of speculation in recent months, prompting the Messi family to appeal for privacy and “humanity” from the media during the recent World Cup.

His death brings to an end a remarkable personal journey alongside one of football’s most celebrated figures.

From coaching Lionel as a child in Rosario to accompanying him to Barcelona at 13 and later guiding his professional career, Jorge Messi remained a constant presence throughout his son’s rise to global superstardom.