Jorge Messi, Father and Agent of Lionel Messi, Dies at 68 in Rosario

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, died Friday at age 68 following a prolonged illness in Rosario, Argentina.

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of Inter Miami and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, died Friday at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68. His passing was confirmed on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following a prolonged illness that the family had previously described as a "health situation." The news follows a summer where Lionel Messi led La Albiceleste to the World Cup final at age 39, a match in which Argentina was defeated 1-0 by Spain. During the tournament held in North America, Lionel Messi scored in Argentina's opening match against Algeria in June. Following that goal, the forward stated his emotions were not related to football, noting he had been enduring "difficult, complicated days." While Jorge Messi was unable to attend the World Cup due to his medical condition, the Messi family released a statement a week after the opener clarifying that he was under medical supervision and progressing favorably at that time.

Key details

Jorge Messi served as his son's agent throughout a career that included a record eight Ballon d'Or awards. Before managing the professional trajectory of the man often called the greatest player of all time, Jorge worked in a steel factory in Rosario. In 2000, he relocated the family to Europe as Lionel joined the Barcelona academy. Under his father's guidance, Messi became the all-time record appearance-maker and leading goal scorer for FC Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and eventually Inter Miami. Newell’s Old Boys, the first club Lionel Messi represented, issued a statement Saturday expressing "profound pain and sorrow" regarding the businessman's death. The club highlighted Jorge’s role as a renowned supporter and a fundamental leader who, alongside his wife Celia, provided the vision and rigor necessary to support every stage of his son's professional journey.

Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia, and four children: Rodrigo, Matías, Lionel, and María Sol. His influence spanned a period where his son helped Argentina reach three of the last four World Cup finals. This era of success included the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar, marking the first time the captain won the tournament. Following the conclusion of the most recent World Cup in North America, Lionel Messi traveled to Rosario to spend time with his father before returning to competitive play with Inter Miami. Jorge Messi’s death occurred in his native city, where he had remained while his son competed in the international tournament. The family had kept the specifics of the illness private until the public confirmation of his passing on Saturday morning.

Latest developments

The steel factory worker turned sports executive was instrumental in negotiating the 2000 contract written on a paper napkin that secured Lionel’s future at La Masia. This pivotal moment allowed the young athlete to receive necessary growth hormone treatments, a cost the family could not have covered without the Spanish club's intervention. Throughout the subsequent two decades, Jorge remained the primary negotiator for every major contract extension and commercial partnership, including the landmark lifetime deal with Adidas. His management style was often described as protective, ensuring that the focus remained on the pitch while he handled the complexities of global branding and tax structures.

During the 2026 World Cup cycle, the elder Messi’s absence from the stands was a notable departure from previous tournaments where he was a constant fixture in the VIP boxes. Despite his deteriorating health, he reportedly watched every minute of the tournament from his residence in Rosario, maintaining daily contact with the Argentina captain via video calls. The national team’s training camp in Miami and later across various North American host cities was kept informed of his status, though the squad maintained a strict privacy policy to protect their captain’s focus. The 1-0 loss to Spain in the final marked Lionel’s final international appearance before he rushed back to Santa Fe province to be by his father’s side.

Official tributes have begun pouring in from the global football community, with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) lowering flags to half-mast at their Ezeiza training center. Major League Soccer and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham also released statements acknowledging the profound impact Jorge had on the sport’s history by facilitating his son’s move to the United States in 2023. Funeral arrangements are expected to be held privately in Rosario, with a public memorial service potentially being organized by Newell’s Old Boys at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa in the coming days. The Messi family has requested privacy as they navigate this transition, marking the end of a partnership that redefined the modern sporting dynasty.