Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine football star Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 after a long illness. He passed away in the early hours of Saturday, August 8, 2026, at a medical clinic in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.
The Messi family confirmed the death to Reuters. Sanatorio Centro, the medical center in Rosario where he had been receiving care, also announced the passing. Newell’s Old Boys, the Rosario club where Lionel began his youth career, and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued statements of condolence.
Jorge Messi had been dealing with health issues for several months. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the family released a statement acknowledging that he was experiencing a “health-related situation” and was under medical attention, without disclosing further details. He spent his final months alternating between the clinic and his home in Rosario, accompanied by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their children Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol.
Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami and captains the Argentina national team, spent time with his father in Rosario after the World Cup before returning to club duties. He is expected to travel back to Argentina to join the family. Inter Miami were scheduled to play in a Leagues Cup match on Saturday, but Messi’s participation was uncertain amid the family circumstances.
Jorge Messi played a central role in his son’s career. A former steelworker and chemical technician from Rosario, he supported Lionel from his earliest days at local club Grandoli and Newell’s Old Boys. He later served as the player’s agent and business manager, accompanying him through his move to Barcelona as a teenager and remaining a key figure throughout Messi’s record-breaking career, which includes eight Ballon d’Or awards and the 2022 World Cup title with Argentina.
The AFA said it “deeply mourns with sadness and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and emblem, Lionel Messi,” and noted that a minute’s silence would be observed at matches in Argentina over the weekend. Newell’s Old Boys described him as “the pillar and the person who, with vision, rigor and affection, supported the career of the best player of all time, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.”
Jorge Messi is survived by his wife Celia and their four children: Rodrigo, Matías, Lionel, and María Sol. Funeral arrangements were reported to include a private wake, with burial planned at a cemetery near Rosario.
