FC Barcelona has expressed its condolences to club legend Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68.

The Catalan club mourned the passing of Jorge Messi and extended its sympathies to the Messi family in a statement issued on Saturday.

Barcelona’s president and board of directors, on behalf of the entire club, paid tribute to Jorge Messi and acknowledged the important role he played during the early stages of Lionel Messi’s football career.

Barcelona mourns Jorge Messi

In its message, Barcelona recognised Jorge Messi’s contribution to the relationship between the Messi family and the club, particularly during the period when Lionel Messi was developing into a professional footballer.

“FC Barcelona thanks Jorge Messi for his commitment to our Club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career,” the club said.

Barcelona added, “May he rest in peace,” as it offered its condolences to the Messi family.

The tribute highlighted the longstanding relationship between Jorge Messi and the Spanish club, which became an important part of Lionel Messi’s development and subsequent career.

Jorge Messi’s role in Lionel Messi’s career

Jorge Messi played a significant role in managing and supporting his son’s career from his early years in football.

Lionel Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, as a teenager after moving from Argentina to Spain. He subsequently progressed through the club’s youth system before making his senior-team debut in 2004.

Under Barcelona’s colours, Messi developed into one of the most celebrated footballers in the history of the sport.

During his time at the club, he won numerous domestic and international trophies and established himself as one of Barcelona’s greatest-ever players.

Jorge Messi remained closely involved in his son’s professional career throughout the years, serving as his representative and helping manage various aspects of his football affairs.

Messi’s historic Barcelona career

Lionel Messi spent the majority of his professional career at Barcelona, where he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of its most decorated players.

He won multiple La Liga titles, Copa del Rey trophies and UEFA Champions League titles with the Spanish giants.

Messi also collected numerous individual honours during his time at Camp Nou, including several Ballon d’Or awards.

His success at Barcelona established a strong connection between the player, the club and its supporters, making Jorge Messi’s association with the institution particularly significant.

Jorge Messi dies at 68

Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father and long-time representative, died at the age of 68, according to reports by Spanish sports newspaper MARCA, citing Argentine news outlet Infobae.

The news prompted tributes from the football community, with Barcelona among the major institutions associated with Messi to publicly express its condolences.

Jorge Messi’s death marks a significant loss for the Messi family after decades in which he played a prominent role behind the scenes in his son’s football journey.

Barcelona remembers Messi family connection

Barcelona’s statement also reflected the close connection between the Messi family and the club.

Although Lionel Messi eventually left Barcelona in 2021 after more than a decade with the senior team, his legacy at the club remains firmly established.

His time at Barcelona produced some of the most memorable moments in the club’s history, while his relationship with the institution began long before he became a global football superstar.

By acknowledging Jorge Messi’s contribution, Barcelona paid tribute not only to Lionel Messi’s father but also to the family’s longstanding relationship with the club.

The club concluded its message with a brief tribute: “May he rest in peace.”