Jorge Horacio Messi, the father and agent of Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi, died at age 68 at Sanatorio Centro in Rosario in the early hours of Saturday. He passed away at 2:00 a.m. following a long illness, prompting condolences from around the world.
In a formal statement, Sanatorio Centro announced his time of death and stated that the hospital accompanies his family and loved ones in this difficult moment. Jorge Messi had been hospitalized at the center in his hometown of Rosario due to a delicate state of health.
Career and family of Jorge Messi
Jorge Messi served as his son's agent starting when Lionel Messi was 14 years old. The businessman managed financial matters, marketing, and advertising for the 39-year-old forward, playing a fundamental role in his sporting career.
He was married to Celia Cuccittini and was the father of Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, as well as Lionel. Health problems had been confirmed during the World Cup, although his specific condition was not revealed at the time.
Medical report and privacy
The medical director of Sanatorio Centro, Dr. Carlos Mackey, signed the formal document communicating the death. Doctors explained that the businessman died from health complications derived from a long illness, but they did not provide an exact medical diagnosis.
Sanatorio Centro clarified that it will not release further details from his clinical history to respect the privacy of the Messi family and comply with patient data protection laws. However, Argentine media outlets reported that he suffered from heart and neurological problems in recent months.
Arrival of Lionel Messi in Rosario
Lionel Messi received the news while in Miami and traveled from the United States to Argentina on a private flight with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. The airplane landed at Rosario airport on Saturday evening at around 8:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Images showed Messi descending the plane stairs alongside Roccuzzo before leaving the runway toward the airport exit. The family then traveled to join relatives and bid farewell at an intimate ceremony at El Prado cemetery.
