By Nadia Ntiamoah
Lionel Messi is mourning the death of his father and longtime football adviser, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness.
Jorge Messi died on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Sanatorio Centro clinic in Rosario, Argentina, the city where the Messi family has deep roots. His death brings to an end the life of a man who played a central role in the career of one of football’s most celebrated players.
For much of Lionel Messi’s career, Jorge was more than a father. He was a trusted adviser, manager and agent who helped guide his son’s professional journey from his early days in Rosario through his rise to global football stardom.
Jorge was closely involved in the major decisions surrounding Lionel’s career, including contract negotiations and other key developments that shaped the Argentine forward’s path at the highest level of the sport.
His influence was particularly significant during Messi’s formative years, when the young footballer was beginning to attract attention for his extraordinary talent. As Lionel’s career developed, Jorge remained an important figure behind the scenes, helping to manage the business and professional aspects of his son’s football journey.
The relationship between father and son extended beyond football. Jorge was regarded as one of the principal figures who supported Lionel throughout the different stages of his career, from his emergence as a promising youngster to becoming a global football icon.
In recent months, however, Jorge’s health had deteriorated. His illness reportedly prevented him from attending some of Lionel Messi’s recent football commitments and tournaments as he battled health complications.
His death comes only weeks after Lionel Messi completed what was an emotionally significant 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with Argentina. Messi, who captained the defending champions at the tournament, eventually saw Argentina lose 1-0 to Spain in the final after extra time.
The defeat brought an emotional end to Messi’s World Cup career, with the Argentine superstar visibly affected by the loss after another remarkable tournament.
