Jorge Messi, the father and manager of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in a hospital in Rosario. He passed away at around 10pm local time on Friday, August 7, close to the family home.
Local media in Argentina first reported the news, which was later confirmed by several of Lionel Messi's current and former teams. The Messi family had revealed two months earlier that Jorge was rushed to the hospital with an ongoing health situation.
Newell's Old Boys, the first club of Lionel Messi's career, released the initial official statement in Spanish expressing deep sorrow and grief. The club described Jorge Messi as a recognized leproso fan, businessman, and father of the Argentine national team captain, Lionel Andrés Messi.
The Argentine club noted that Jorge was the pillar who supported his son's career alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini. Newell's Old Boys stated: "His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory. Thank you for teaching him to love these colors."
The statement concluded with the Board of Directors, members, athletes, and the entire leprosa family embracing Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, along with all their loved ones. They offered a final message stating: "Farewell forever, leproso."
Tributes from clubs and football governing bodies
Barcelona and the Argentina national team joined the mourning in the hours that followed, praising Jorge and wishing the Messi family the best. Seleccion Argentina posted a message on X stating: "Stay strong, Leo Messi and family. We are with you in this difficult moment. We send you our most heartfelt embrace."
A spokesperson for FC Barcelona expressed the deepest condolences of the club's President and Board of Directors on behalf of the entire Barca family. The spokesperson added: "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. May he rest in peace."
South American football governing body CONMEBOL also published a statement on X expressing deep regret over the passing of Jorge Messi. CONMEBOL stated: "We accompany Lionel, his family, friends, and loved ones with respect and affection in this moment of profound grief. May he rest in peace."
The Daily Mail reached out to Inter Miami and the Messi family for a further statement following the announcement. An official cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Role as business manager and health struggles
Jorge Messi maintained an extremely close relationship with his son and operated as his agent and de facto business manager throughout his career. In that role, he oversaw Lionel Messi's multi-million dollar empire off the pitch.
In recent months, the family patriarch dealt with an unconfirmed medical issue that required hospitalization in Argentina. The health situation first came to light when 39-year-old Lionel Messi cried on the pitch at the World Cup during a rare public display of emotion.
After scoring a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina's opening group game in Kansas City, Lionel Messi addressed questions from journalists regarding his tears. He stated: "No, honestly it's something completely unrelated to sports. It's been a few difficult days, complicated."
Hours later, journalist Eduardo Feinmann explained the reason for the emotional reaction during an interview on Radio Mitre, one of Argentina's most listened-to radio stations. Feinmann revealed that Jorge Messi's health had been declining for several months since the previous year, noting that recent events had slightly worsened his condition.
Hospitalization and family background
Reports indicated that Jorge Messi suffered a medical episode at his home in January of this year, leading to his hospitalization. He subsequently underwent cardiovascular and neurological tests, though the family chose to keep his official diagnosis out of the media.
Jorge's health became headline news again in June when a broadcaster in Argentina falsely claimed he had died. The broadcaster later issued an emotional apology and stepped down from her job.
Jorge Messi and his wife Celia Cuccittini married in 1978 and remained together until his death. Before becoming his son's agent, Jorge worked for a steel manufacturer in Villa Constitucion after meeting Celia as a young man in Rosario, where the family grew up.
Lionel Messi is the third of four children born to Jorge and Celia. He has two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and a younger sister, Maria Sol. Jorge and Celia split their time between Rosario and Miami, where Lionel currently plays for David Beckham's Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Career guidance and legal matters
Jorge Messi remained at his son's side throughout his historic career, which began in Argentina with Newell's Old Boys before a move to Spain to join Barcelona's La Masia academy in 2000. Following 21 years at Barcelona, Jorge orchestrated Lionel's move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before his subsequent transfer to Inter Miami, where he remains at age 39.
Alongside his sporting success, Jorge Messi was involved in legal proceedings concerning his son's finances. He stood alongside Lionel during a 2016 tax fraud case, where prosecutors alleged that Messi failed to properly pay taxes on income from his image rights between 2007 and 2009.
Both father and son were convicted of three tax offenses and initially received suspended 21-month prison sentences. Spain's Supreme Court reviewed the case in 2017 and reduced Jorge's sentence to 15 months, while both men were ordered to pay substantial fines.
