Lionel Messi’s father Jorge dies aged 68

Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s childhood club Newell’s Old Boys announced on Saturday. Argentine media reported Jorge Messi had passed away on Friday in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario. The 39-year-old Argentine star arrived in his home country on Saturday alongside his partner, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children, with most dressed in black, an AFP journalist reported from the airport.

Messi’s family asked the media for “humanity” during the recent World Cup amid persistent rumours over Jorge’s health. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) sent its “condolences” to the Messi family. “On behalf of Spanish football, we wish to convey all our love and affection to Lionel and his loved ones during this time of deep sorrow,” the RFEF said in a statement.

Inter Miami said in a statement, “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.” A former metal factory worker, Jorge Messi was his son’s first coach in Argentina and his sole companion when he first moved to Barcelona as a child, before later becoming his agent. “My father helped me enormously. He is very critical of me. That made me always want to push myself further,” Lionel Messi told DirecTV Sports in 2022.