Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, died Saturday at age 68 after weeks of declining health that had fans on edge throughout this year's World Cup. His death was confirmed by Sanatorio Centro, the Rosario, Argentina, medical center where he had been receiving treatment — hospital officials declined to release a cause, citing the family's privacy. Here's everything you need to know about Jorge Messi's life, his decades guiding his son's career, and the tributes now pouring in from across the soccer world.
Key Facts
- Jorge Messi died Saturday, August 8, at Sanatorio Centro in Rosario, Argentina, at age 68.
- He served as Lionel Messi's agent and manager for most of his son's professional career.
- Newell's Old Boys and UNICEF both shared public tributes following the news.
- His death follows a false report about him that circulated back in June.
- He is survived by wife Celia Cuccittini and four children, including Lionel.
Jorge Messi Dies After Months of Declining Health
Jorge Horacio Messi passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning at Sanatorio Centro, a medical center in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Dr. Carlos Mackey, the hospital's medical director, confirmed the death in a statement but said no further details about the illness would be shared, out of respect for the family. He was 68.
The news landed just weeks after Lionel Messi and the Argentine national team wrapped up their 2026 World Cup campaign, which ended in a runner-up finish. Jorge had reportedly been unable to travel to North America for the tournament, and his son returned home to Rosario to spend time with him before rejoining Inter Miami for club duty.
Brandon Clarke's Cause of Death Revealed After NBA Star Dies at 29
From Steelworker to Star-Maker: His Early Life
Long before he became one of the most recognizable figures in soccer, Jorge Messi worked as a chemical technician and steelworker in Rosario. He'd played as a midfielder in his youth and even reached the youth ranks at Newell's Old Boys, the club his son would later be linked to for life — but he had to step away from the sport to complete Argentina's mandatory military service.
That early brush with the club, and with the sport itself, planted the roots of everything that came next. Jorge never became a professional player himself. Instead, he found his calling on the other side of the game, shaping and protecting the career of a son who would go on to become — in the eyes of many — the greatest to ever play it.
The Man Who Built Lionel Messi's Career
Jorge Messi wasn't just a father — he was the architect behind one of the most storied careers in sports. He managed his son's business affairs for decades and was the one who traveled with a young Lionel to Barcelona in the early 2000s for the trial that opened the doors to La Masia, the club's famed youth academy.
He stayed by his son's side through every major turn: the rise at Barcelona, the painful exit years later, the moves to PSG and Inter Miami, and the long-awaited World Cup triumph in 2022. Lionel has credited his father's steady presence throughout, once reflecting on just how central Jorge was to his journey.
"My dad was always by my side," Lionel Messi said in a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata.
That bond only deepened as Jorge took on the role of agent full time, often stepping in publicly to shut down transfer rumors or defend his son from criticism. In 2023, amid swirling reports about a move to Saudi Arabia, Jorge was blunt in a statement on Instagram.
"There is absolutely nothing with any club for next season," Jorge Messi said at the time, pushing back on reports that a deal had already been struck.
A Health Scare That Shadowed the World Cup
Questions about Jorge's condition had been building for months before his death. This past June, Argentine TV host Florencia Peña incorrectly reported that Jorge Messi had died, a mistake she later said came from bad information relayed through her earpiece during a live broadcast. Peña resigned from her hosting role shortly after and publicly took partial responsibility for the error.
At the time, the Messi family moved quickly to clarify the situation. A statement said Jorge "is currently dealing with a health issue" and was "under medical supervision, recovering, and showing favorable progress given his condition." That update offered fans some reassurance heading into the World Cup — but the underlying illness never fully went away, and it ultimately proved fatal two months later.
Former Jackson State Football Player Levi Wyatt, 23, Dies in Mississippi Car Crash
Tributes From Newell's Old Boys and UNICEF
Tributes began arriving within hours of the announcement. Newell's Old Boys, the Rosario club where a young Lionel first learned the game, honored Jorge in a post on X, describing him as a devoted fan of the club and crediting him as "the person who underpinned with vision, rigor and affection the career" of his son.
UNICEF, for which Lionel serves as a Goodwill Ambassador, also sent its condolences. The organization's post called Jorge "always committed to the rights of boys and girls" and noted his history as a benefactor of the group's work. Both tributes painted a picture of a man whose influence stretched well beyond his own family, even as his primary legacy remained inseparable from his son's.
Lionel Messi embraces his father, Jorge Messi, after Argentina's win over France in the 2022 World Cup final at Lusail Stadium, Qatar, on December 18, 2022. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Family, Legacy, and What Comes Next
Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children: Lionel, older brothers Rodrigo and Matías, and younger sister María Sol. His life wasn't without controversy — he faced a Spanish tax fraud case tied to his son's image rights a decade ago, a chapter that ended with Lionel cleared of wrongdoing while Jorge accepted responsibility for the family's financial dealings.
None of that has overshadowed how he's remembered this week. Across Rosario, Barcelona, Miami, and beyond, the tributes have centered on one theme: a father who quietly shaped the game's greatest career from just behind the spotlight.
Jorge Messi's death closes a chapter that began on the streets of Rosario and stretched across three continents and two decades of trophies. His son now carries that legacy forward, on and off the field. Stay tuned to Bigwritehook for more updates on the Messi family as they arrive.
