Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, died at a clinic in Rosario at age 68 following a long illness. He was a central figure in the development of his son's professional career, guiding him from youth football in Argentina to international stardom.
Jorge supported Lionel from his earliest steps in the youth ranks of Newell's Old Boys. He played a decisive role when his son required medical treatment during adolescence, leading the negotiations that brought the 13-year-old player to FC Barcelona after facing difficulties securing treatment in Argentina.
During their early years in Spain, Jorge stayed with Lionel while the rest of the family remained in Rosario. His wife, Celia Cuccittini, whom he married in 1978, returned to Argentina because their youngest daughter, Maria Sol, struggled to adapt to life in Spain. The couple had four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol.
Lionel has recalled the hardships of that period, highlighting his father's support when deciding whether to continue his football career in Spain or return home.
Career as Football Agent
Before taking charge of his son's career, Jorge worked as a section head in a steel factory. His wife Celia combined her job at a magnetic coil workshop with cleaning houses. Jorge built the family's house in southern Rosario with his own hands before becoming a successful agent.
As Lionel became a star, Jorge managed his commercial image rights, business affairs, and a fortune estimated at over 1 billion euros. He maintained a low public profile and gave few interviews while accompanying his son at major events.
Recent Health Issues
The news of his death follows references Lionel Messi made to a difficult family situation during the 2026 World Cup. After an Argentina match, the team captain explained that he was experiencing complicated days, noting that support from his family and teammates had been fundamental.
On June 18, the Messi family issued a statement confirming that Jorge was under medical supervision, recovering, and progressing favorably. The statement did not specify his medical condition and expressed annoyance over rumors and speculation regarding his health.
Spanish Tax Conviction
In 2016, Jorge Messi was convicted of tax fraud in Spain alongside his son. The Barcelona Court found that they used corporate structures to hide income from image rights between 2007 and 2009, defrauding tax authorities of 4.1 million euros.
Both received initial sentences of 21 months in prison, but neither entered prison as they had no criminal record and penalties were under two years. The Supreme Court later upheld Lionel's conviction but reduced Jorge's sentence to 15 months after he repaid the defrauded money.
