Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine star Lionel Messi, died on Saturday at the age of 68. He had been fighting an illness since the World Cup, when Messi had given indications about complications in his health.
Newell's Old Boys, the Rosario club where Lionel Messi began his football career, confirmed the death on Saturday morning. The club said it was saying goodbye with deep pain and sorrow to Jorge Messi, a recognized Newell's fan, businessman and father of Argentina's national team captain, Lionel Andres Messi, who died in the city of Rosario. It said Jorge had been the support who, alongside his wife Celia Cuccittini, built with vision, rigor and affection the career of the best player of all time.
The club added that Jorge's constant presence and behind-the-scenes leadership had been fundamental in backing every step of Lionel's career, from his beginnings in the Malvinas neighborhood to football's highest glory. It thanked him for teaching his son to love the club's colors, and said its board, members, athletes and the whole Newell's family embraced with affection Celia, Lionel, and his siblings Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol during this difficult moment.
International press reaction
Newspapers around the world covered the news on Saturday. Madrid's Marca said Lionel Messi's career cannot be understood without considering the role his father played, especially in his early years. Barcelona-based Mundo Deportivo said Jorge was a bit of everything: agent, businessman, advisor and, above all, protector.
The story also made headlines in England's The Sun, Portugal's A Bola, Uruguay's Ovacion, and Argentina's Ole and Clarin.
