Jorge Messi, father and longtime agent of football icon Lionel Messi, died at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness in Rosario, Argentina, on the night of August 7 or early August 8, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. He spent his final months alternating between a medical center in Rosario and his home, supported by his wife Celia and their children Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol [2, 8, 5, 7, 9].

Jorge was not only Lionel Messi’s first coach but also his lifelong supporter and agent. He managed his son's contracts with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami [1, 3, 6, 9]. Lionel Messi reflected on his father's influence, saying, “I always needed my dad's approval, ever since I was a kid. After every match, I'd ask him what he thought of how I played” [2]. He also recalled the hardships during their early years in Barcelona, sharing, "When we arrived in Barcelona, I used to lock myself in my room to cry alone, and my father did the same… When things were tough, my father even asked me what I wanted to do, whether I wanted to keep going or go back home. I wanted to continue, so he stayed with me" [6].

During the 2026 World Cup, Lionel had emotional moments, including breaking down in tears after scoring his first goal, a reaction linked to concerns over his father's health [2, 5, 7, 9]. After the tournament, Lionel spent time with Jorge before returning to Inter Miami about a week before his father’s passing [2, 8, 4, 5, 7].

On August 8, Inter Miami and their opponents observed a minute of silence and wore black armbands during a Leagues Cup match as a mark of respect for Jorge Messi [3, 10, 6]. Lionel arrived in Argentina the same day, wearing black in mourning alongside his partner and children [3, 10, 6].

Several football organizations and clubs issued statements mourning Jorge’s death, including Newell’s Old Boys, Barcelona, Inter Miami, the Argentine Football Association, the Spanish Football Federation, Conmebol, and Paris Saint-Germain [1, 3, 10, 5, 6]. Newell’s Old Boys said Jorge was "the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini" [1].

The private funeral was held near Rosario on August 9, attended by family and close friends [3, 6].