Jorge Messi, Father and Manager of Lionel Messi, Passes Away at 68

Jorge Messi, a familiar figure seen at the matches of his son, Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68 after battling a lengthy illness. As an Argentine businessman, Jorge Messi worked in the steel industry and played a crucial role in managing his son’s career over the decades. His illness came under public discussion during the 2026 World Cup when his family acknowledged the health issue while Lionel Messi competed.

Argentina faced a defeat by Spain in the final on July 19. Lionel Messi, now 39, expressed that his early tournament emotions were due to family concerns. The shared image of Lionel and Jorge Messi from Barcelona in 2016 has become a poignant memory of their connection.

The Sanatorio Centro medical facility confirmed Jorge Messi’s passing through its director, but it did not provide details regarding his illness. The statement mentioned his death occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday. Dr. Carlos Mackey, an administrator, expressed condolences, stating, “We stand with his family and loved ones during this difficult time and offer our deepest condolences.” In respect for the family’s privacy and in compliance with regulations on patient data protection, no further medical details were disclosed.

Jorge Messi was known for his involvement with UNICEF, the international humanitarian organization. In a statement, UNICEF expressed its sorrow: “We regret the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our Goodwill Ambassador Lionel Messi, and a person always committed to the rights of boys and girls as a benefactor of @unicef.”

During the 2026 World Cup, questions about Jorge Messi’s health circulated among fans who speculated about the condition’s impact on Lionel Messi. In June, a false announcement of Jorge Messi’s death led to controversy, causing the resignation of Argentine TV host Florencia Peña. She stepped down after inaccurately reporting his death, attributing the mistake to faulty information received via an earpiece. Messi’s family had then clarified that Jorge was dealing with a health issue and was “under medical supervision, but showing favorable progress.”

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s club, Inter Miami CF, is set to play against a Monterrey club from Mexico on Saturday night in Miami. The club has not immediately commented on the situation.