Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Messi, died early Saturday at a clinic in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) ordered a minute of silence at this weekend's matches, and several clubs mourned the businessman's death.
The AFA, in a social media post led by its president Claudio Tapia, said it sadly and sorrowfully mourned the death of Jorge Messi, father of the national team's captain and emblem, Lionel Messi. The association said it was accompanying the family in this difficult moment and sent its warmest and most heartfelt embrace.
AFA president pays tribute
Tapia honored Jorge Messi as the father of the best player in the world and for having raised a person of values. In a statement, Tapia said Jorge's greatest achievement was not just following Lionel on the path that led him to become a legend, but always being by his side, supporting him in difficult moments, accompanying him every step of the way, and teaching him through his actions that behind any sporting success there is a person and values that must be preserved.
Argentine clubs mourn
Newell's Old Boys, the club where Messi started out, said in a social media message that Jorge's constant support and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every one of Lionel's steps, from his beginnings at Malvinas to football's greatest glory, thanking him for teaching Lionel to love the club's colors.
Clubs without a direct link to Lionel Messi, including Boca Juniors, River Plate, San Lorenzo, Argentinos Juniors, Independiente and Racing, also mourned Jorge's death on social media.
Tributes from Spain
Barcelona, the club that watched Messi grow up from a young age and helped him win every club honor in football, expressed its condolences on behalf of the club and its fans. In a statement, Barcelona thanked Jorge Messi for his commitment to the club for having entrusted it with his son Leo's first steps and the years of greatest brilliance in his football career, wishing him rest in peace.
Real Madrid, Barcelona's biggest rival, also joined in offering condolences over Jorge Messi's death, sending its sympathies to Leo, his family and all his loved ones, and wishing him rest in peace.
