Jorge Messi, the 68‑year‑old father of football icon Lionel Messi, died on Saturday in Rosario, Argentina, after a prolonged illness that kept him under medical care for months. Family members gathered around him in his final days, offering the same steadfast support he had given them throughout his life.
A Father’s Influence
Lionel Messi, now 39, traveled to Rosario that evening to attend a private wake for his father, a journey that underscored the deep bond that had shaped the player’s career from childhood. The younger Messi has often spoken of needing his father’s approval after every match, a need that persisted even as he achieved global stardom.
The Argentine Football Association announced a minute of silence before every domestic match as a mark of respect, while clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Newell’s Old Boys issued public statements of condolence. Barcelona, in particular, expressed gratitude to Jorge for his commitment to the club and his son’s career, especially during the early years when he acted as the player’s representative.
Jorge’s remains are scheduled to be transferred on Sunday to the El Prado private cemetery in Perez, a quiet suburb just outside Rosario, where a small family ceremony will be held. The funeral will conclude a period of illness that saw him split his time between a medical center and his home, surrounded by his wife Celia and their children Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.