Football superstar Lionel Messi is mourning the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness.
Jorge died on Friday night, August 7, 2026, at Sanatorio Centro, a medical facility in his hometown.
His death ends the life of a man who played one of the most influential roles in Lionel Messi’s journey from a young footballer in Rosario to one of the greatest players in football history.
The Messi family had kept Jorge’s health struggles largely private. Reports said he spent his final months alternating between treatment at a medical centre in Rosario and time at home, where he remained surrounded by members of his family.
Following his father’s death, Lionel Messi travelled privately from Miami to Rosario to reunite with his mother, Celia Cuccittini, and his siblings.
The family is holding a private wake as they prepare to lay Jorge to rest at El Prado private cemetery in Pérez, near Rosario.
His exact medical condition has not been publicly disclosed. Reports have described his illness as prolonged, while the family previously asked for privacy surrounding his health.
Jorge spent much of his final period receiving medical attention in Rosario.
Reports indicate that his wife, Celia, and children remained close to him during his health battle. Lionel also spent time with his father after returning from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The family’s privacy became particularly important earlier this year after false reports about Jorge’s death circulated during the World Cup.
An Argentine television presenter falsely announced that Jorge had died during Argentina’s opening match of the tournament. The report caused distress for the Messi family, who subsequently expressed their discomfort over the handling of Jorge’s private medical situation.
Jorge Messi was not simply Lionel’s father. He became one of the most important figures in his son’s professional career.
He managed Lionel’s affairs for much of the footballer’s career and helped guide the decisions that shaped his path from Argentina to European football and eventually to the United States.
When Lionel was a child, Jorge supported his son’s football development in Rosario.
At 13, Lionel moved to Spain to join FC Barcelona, a decision that transformed his career. Jorge played a central role in helping his son make that transition and remained closely involved in his professional affairs.
The father and son continued working together as Lionel established himself at Barcelona, later moved to Paris Saint-Germain and eventually joined Inter Miami CF.
Jorge’s influence extended beyond football. He handled business and contractual matters and remained one of Lionel’s closest advisers.
Despite his son’s enormous global profile, Jorge generally maintained a lower public profile. His life became inseparable from Lionel’s football story, but he rarely sought the spotlight for himself.
In a 2013 interview with German magazine Kicker, Jorge spoke about the emotional connection he had with his son’s career. He said that the day Lionel stopped playing football would feel like the end of a dream for him.
News of Jorge’s death has prompted tributes from football organisations and clubs around the world.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) expressed its condolences and announced commemorative measures across Argentine football, including a minute of silence and black armbands.
FC Barcelona, the club where Lionel spent the majority of his career, also paid tribute to Jorge and recognised his role in the beginnings of Lionel’s relationship with the Catalan club.
Inter Miami CF also offered its support to its captain and the Messi family.
Jorge’s death has also affected Rosario, the city where the Messi family built its roots.
Reports said VIP Rosario, a restaurant and gastronomic venture associated with the Messi family, temporarily closed following his death.
