Jorge Messi, Father and Longtime Agent of Lionel Messi, Dies at 68

Jorge Messi died at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, following a lengthy illness. He was 68.

The death was confirmed by the Messi family in a statement provided to Reuters, and separately by CONMEBOL, the Argentina national team, and Newell's Old Boys, the Rosario club where Lionel Messi played as a boy. Jorge spent his final months moving between the medical clinic and his home, accompanied by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and his children Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol. He is survived by his wife and four children.

"CONMEBOL deeply regrets the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi," the South American football federation said in a statement translated from Spanish, according to CBS News. "We accompany Lionel, his family, friends, and loved ones with respect and affection in this moment of profound grief."

Newell's Old Boys called him "the pillar of strength and the person who, along with his wife, Celia Cuccittini, supported the career of the greatest player of all time with vision, rigor, and affection," per CBS News. The club added: "His constant support and behind-the-scenes leadership were fundamental in backing every step of Lionel's journey."

From steel mill to Barcelona's academy

Before he became one of the most influential agents in modern soccer, Jorge Messi worked as a chemical technician and steelworker, according to Fox Sports. He played midfielder in Newell's Old Boys' youth ranks himself before mandatory military service ended his playing days.

In 2000, he took a 13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona for a trial. The club's willingness to sign the boy was famously sketched out on a napkin, a deal Jorge helped broker and later moved his family to Spain to make real. Lionel Messi made his debut with Barcelona at 16, in 2005, according to CBS News and Fox Sports.

From there, Jorge negotiated every major turn of his son's career: Barcelona contracts, the move to Paris Saint-Germain, and the eventual transfer to Inter Miami. He also managed Lionel's image rights and business ventures, including investments in real estate, hotels, and restaurants, according to Fox Sports.

The result was eight Ballon d'Or awards for Lionel and a 2022 World Cup title for Argentina, with Jorge on the field for the celebration.

A private illness made public against the family's wishes

Jorge's declining health became a public storyline this summer during the World Cup. After scoring a hat trick in Argentina's opening match against Algeria, a visibly emotional Lionel Messi told reporters afterward that his tears were over "something unrelated to football," adding he had been through "a few difficult, complicated days."

Speculation followed, particularly after an emotional reaction during Argentina's last-16 win over Egypt, that his father's condition was the cause. Days later, the family issued a statement confirming Jorge was "experiencing a health-related situation" and was "under medical care, recovering and evolving favorably."

The statement also pushed back hard on the coverage. Fox Sports reported the family said "a person's health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest," and expressed "discomfort at the lack of sensitivity, respect and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter." Argentina went on to finish as runner-up in the World Cup.

Jorge did not travel to the tournament in North America. He and Lionel spent time together in Rosario afterward before Lionel rejoined Inter Miami, returning to match action roughly a week before his father's death.

What's next for Inter Miami

Inter Miami was scheduled to face Monterrey on Saturday night in the 2026 Leagues Cup. As of Saturday afternoon, the club had not announced whether Lionel Messi would play, according to both the Guardian and CBS News.

A cause of death has not been disclosed. The Argentine Football Association, in a statement reported by the Guardian, said it stood "in solidarity with the entire family during this difficult time." Lionel Messi has not yet issued a personal public statement beyond the family's earlier remarks on his father's health.