Jorge Messi, father and longtime representative of soccer icon Lionel Messi, has died at 68 in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, according to multiple outlets in Argentina and Spain. The family has not disclosed an official cause of death, only confirming he had been fighting a long illness.
News of his passing has sent shockwaves through the football world, with heartbreaking tributes pouring in from fans, former teammates, and soccer commentators within hours of the announcement.
Jorge’s declining health first became public during this year’s World Cup, where Argentina reached the final before falling to Spain. After one emotional on-field moment, former Argentina teammate turned pundit Juan Pablo Sorin asked Messi directly about his tears, referencing both his family and the national team. Messi responded that the emotion was mostly for his family, adding that they’d been going through a difficult stretch together.
Days later, the Messi family released a statement confirming Jorge was dealing with a health issue, saying he was under medical supervision and “recovering and evolving favorably” at the time.
In the wake of his death, fans online are now revisiting that emotional World Cup moment, with many saying it carries far more weight knowing what the family was quietly facing behind the scenes.
Online, the outpouring has been immense. Fans and fellow soccer figures flooded social media with condolences, many expressing gratitude for the joy Messi has brought the sport and for the sacrifices Jorge made behind the scenes to help get him there. Several commenters specifically pointed back to that emotional World Cup moment, saying it’s impossible not to see it differently now, knowing the full weight of what he was carrying.
Jorge is survived by his wife, Celia, sons Lionel, Rodrigo and Matias, daughter Maria Sol, and several grandchildren. As tributes continue arriving from across the football world, many fans say their focus now is giving the family space to grieve privately.