Lionel Messi landed at Islas Malvinas International Airport in Argentina on August 8, 2026, alongside his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. The trip follows the passing of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, who died at the age of 68 in Rosario. Newell’s Old Boys, the football club where Messi began his career, confirmed the news of his father’s death, which reportedly followed a struggle with cancer.
Following his arrival via private jet from Miami, Messi has remained in the company of his immediate family. A private service is planned at the El Prado cemetery in Perez, near Rosario. Fans have gathered outside the cemetery, leaving handwritten notes of support and floral tributes for the family. Members of the Argentine national team have expressed their solidarity with their captain, with several players, including Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo de Paul, arranging to visit to pay their respects.
Jorge Messi served as a fundamental figure in his son’s life, transitioning from a local metalworker to the primary advocate for Lionel’s legendary career. He managed the young prodigy’s early years at Grandoli and famously relocated to Spain in 2000 to support Lionel’s medical treatment and football development. Throughout his career, Jorge managed his son’s high-profile contracts across Europe and the United States.
The football community has extended its condolences, with the Argentine Football Association mandating a moment of silence and the use of black armbands during matches this week. This loss follows a period of private turmoil for Lionel Messi, who had previously alluded to family struggles during the June World Cup.
