Jorge Messi, the father and long-time representative of soccer icon Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. The announcement was shared on Saturday by Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Lionel Messi spent his early years.
Local outlets in Argentina indicated that he passed away on Friday at a medical facility in Rosario. Newell’s Old Boys honored him in a statement, noting that his unwavering support and quiet guidance were fundamental to his son’s career development.
Beyond his role as an agent, Jorge Messi served as his son’s initial mentor in Argentina and traveled with him to Barcelona when the star moved there as a young boy. In a 2022 interview with DirecTV Sports, Lionel Messi credited his father for his success, stating that his father’s high standards motivated him to continuously improve.
During the most recent World Cup, the Messi family requested privacy from the media regarding his health following widespread speculation.
