Messi’s father Jorge dies aged 68 in Argentina after a long illness. The family confirmed to Reuters that Jorge Messi passed away Friday night at a medical clinic in Rosario.
He spent his final months between the clinic and his home. He was accompanied by his wife Celia and children Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol. The family requested privacy during mourning.
Lionel Messi was in North America for the World Cup. He visited his father afterward before returning to Inter Miami. He played for Miami a week ago and missed training to travel.
The 39-year-old is expected to arrive in Rosario Saturday at 8 p.m. local time. He will fly privately from Miami. A private wake is planned before burial on Sunday.
Jorge’s remains will be transferred to El Prado cemetery in Perez. Perez is a town near Rosario. Local media reported the funeral will be for family and close friends only.
“Jorge Messi obituary” marks the end of a key figure in football. Jorge guided Lionel’s career from Rosario to Barcelona. He served as his son’s representative for many years.
Barcelona thanked Jorge in a statement. The club said it was grateful for entrusting them with “the beginning and the most glorious years” of Leo’s career from 2004 to 2021.
The Argentine FA announced tributes nationwide. A minute’s silence will be held at all divisions. Players, coaches and referees will wear black armbands this weekend.
Real Madrid also sent condolences. Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s youth club, posted a message. They called Jorge “a father who believed in a boy’s dream from Rosario.”
Inter Miami did not immediately comment. The team plays Monterrey in the Leagues Cup later Saturday. The club is expected to honor Jorge before kickoff.
Lionel once said he needed his father’s approval. “After every match, I’d ask him what he thought of how I played,” he told reporters years ago. That bond defined their relationship.
During the recent World Cup, Lionel scored a hat-trick against Algeria. He cried after his first goal. He later said it was “something unrelated to football” after difficult days.
Days later the family announced Jorge was undergoing treatment. The statement asked for respect. It did not give details about the illness, only that it was long.
Jorge was often seen at Barcelona offices. Photos from 2020 show him arriving with lawyers. He negotiated contracts, image rights and moves throughout Lionel’s career.
He was more than an agent. Family members described him as a “crucial pillar of support.” He traveled to every major tournament and was present at most club matches.
In Rosario, neighbors remembered him quietly. He rarely gave interviews. He preferred to stay behind the scenes while his son became an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Celia, Jorge’s wife, was at his side. The couple raised four children in the same Rosario neighborhood where Lionel first played street football.
Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol also issued a family statement. They thanked doctors and fans for support. They asked for space as they grieve.
Football figures reacted quickly. Former teammates posted black-and-white photos. Managers called Jorge the “first coach” of Messi’s mentality and work ethic.
“Lionel Messi father death” dominated Argentine news Saturday. TV channels interrupted programming. Radio stations played tributes from his Barcelona and Argentina goals.
The AFA president said Jorge represented Argentine values. “Work, family, humility,” he said. The federation will also donate to a Rosario children’s hospital in Jorge’s name.
In Miami, teammates wore black in training. Coach Javier Mascherano, a former Argentina teammate, said the squad would dedicate the Monterrey match to Jorge.
Fans gathered outside Newell’s stadium. They left flowers and shirts with “10” on the back. Many chanted Lionel’s name, adding “fuerza Jorge” to the chorus.
Jorge’s role shifted after 2021. When Lionel moved to PSG and then Miami, Jorge stepped back from daily representation. He focused on family and health.
But he still attended games. He was in the stands for Miami’s Leagues Cup run. He watched his son score and celebrate, often with a quiet nod.
Argentine media recalled his early sacrifices. He drove Lionel to training as a child. He helped arrange treatment for growth hormone deficiency in Spain.
That decision changed football history. Barcelona paid for treatment and signed a 13-year-old Lionel. Jorge moved the family to Catalonia to support him.
The club’s statement reflected that debt. “Without Jorge, there is no Leo at La Masia,” Barcelona wrote. “We are forever grateful.”
In Rosario, streets were quiet Friday night. People lit candles outside the Messi family home. Police kept the area clear for privacy.
The wake will be private. Only family and close friends are invited. The public burial at El Prado is expected Sunday afternoon.
Lionel is not expected to speak publicly. Sources close to the family said he wants to mourn privately before returning to Miami next week.
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“Inter Miami Messi family” now faces a difficult week. The team is in a tight playoff race. Players said they will play for Jorge as well as for points.
For Argentina, the loss feels personal. Jorge was seen as every football father who drove kids to practice and believed against the odds.
The country will pause this weekend. From first division to local leagues, silence will honor a man who raised one of the game’s greatest.
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