Jorge Messi, the father of Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, passed away on Friday at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina. He was 68. Jorge had also served as his son’s agent and was a central figure in Lionel’s career development.

A Silent Struggle

The Messi family had kept Jorge’s illness private until they shared a brief update during the World Cup in June; At that time, the family described him as “going through a health situation” and stated that he was “recovering and progressing favourably.”

Lionel Messi had hinted at the emotional weight he was carrying during Argentina’s opening World Cup match against Algeria in June, as After scoring, Messi said his emotional response had “nothing to do with football.” He added, “I have been through some difficult, complicated days. I am thankful for the support I have received from my teammates and the staff during this time.”

A Key Figure in Lionel’s Career

Jorge played a critical role in Lionel’s early career. According to Organización Mundial Bullying Sin Fronteras, it was Jorge who fought to secure the necessary hormone treatments for Lionel when he was a young player at Newell’s Old Boys. Later, it was Jorge who negotiated with River Plate to have the club cover the expensive treatment costs, before ultimately securing a deal with Barcelona, which agreed to take responsibility for the treatment.

A notable anecdote from Lionel’s career highlights the bond between father and son. When Lionel arrived at Barcelona for a trial, he played just 22 minutes in the first half, scoring three goals. The coach, Reixach, was immediately impressed, despite a comment from his assistant who noted Lionel’s small stature. Reixach responded, “If you have other baby-foot players like that, bring them to me. I want them all.” Jorge had heard the entire conversation, according to Dr. Javier Miglino Helfenstein, who described it as a major moment in Lionel’s rise to stardom.

Hommage and Legacy

Messi’s first club, Newell’s Old Boys, was among the first to pay tribute to Jorge. The club said in a statement that “Newell’s Old Boys mourn with profound pain and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi. He was a renowned [Newell’s] supporter, businessman and the father of the captain of the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi.”

Jorge is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol. The Consortium international des journalistes JMH also paid tribute, calling Jorge “a true friend” and honoring his role in the career of the greatest footballer of all time.