Sad News: Lionel Messi’s Father, Jorge Messi, Dies at 68 After Long Illness

The Messi family has reportedly suffered a devastating loss.

Jorge Messi, the father of football superstar Lionel Messi, has reportedly died at the age of 68 after battling a prolonged illness. According to reports emerging from Argentina on Saturday, August 8, Jorge died at a medical facility in Rosario, his hometown and the city where his famous son was born.  

The news comes less than two months after Jorge’s health became a major concern during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Jorge’s health condition became public in June after false reports of his death circulated during the World Cup. At the time, the Messi family confirmed that the 68-year-old was undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed health problem and said he was under medical supervision. The family also urged the media and public to respect their privacy and avoid spreading unverified information.  

Lionel Messi had also become visibly emotional during Argentina’s World Cup campaign. After scoring a hat-trick against Algeria, the football superstar revealed that his tears were connected to difficult personal circumstances rather than the match itself.  

Jorge Messi played a major role in his son’s extraordinary football journey. He served as Lionel’s longtime agent and was deeply involved in managing his career from his early days in Rosario through his move to Barcelona as a teenager and his subsequent rise to global superstardom.

Reports have described Jorge as a key figure who supported Lionel throughout the difficult early stages of his career, including the period when the young footballer required treatment for a growth-related medical condition.  For millions of football fans, Jorge was therefore more than the father of one of the greatest players in football history, he was one of the people who helped make Lionel Messi’s incredible journey possible.

Jorge’s reported death also comes shortly after Lionel completed another major chapter in his international career with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. While the Messi family has previously asked for privacy regarding Jorge’s health, reports of his death have already sparked an outpouring of condolences from football fans around the world.

As of the latest reports, an official statement from the Messi family had not yet been publicly released, so further details surrounding his death and funeral arrangements remain unclear.  

Jorge Messi was 68.

May his soul rest in peace.