Key facts
- Jorge Messi died at 68 on August 7, 2026, around 10 p.m. local time at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, per Argentine media reports.
- He had been battling an undisclosed illness, with the family confirming in a June 18, 2026 statement that he was under medical supervision during the World Cup.
- Newell’s Old Boys, Lionel Messi’s boyhood club, publicly confirmed the death via social media; the Messi family had not issued its own statement at the time of initial reports.
- Inter Miami are scheduled to play Monterrey at home Saturday in the 2026 Leagues Cup; it is unconfirmed whether Lionel Messi, who returned to action about a week earlier, will play.
- Jorge Messi served as his son’s agent and career manager, having previously worked as a supervisor at a metal factory in Rosario before overseeing Lionel’s move through Barcelona’s academy.
Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, has died at age 68. According to reports from Argentine media cited by Sporting News, he passed away on August 7, 2026, around 10 p.m. local time at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, after a prolonged, undisclosed illness. Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Lionel Messi played in his youth, confirmed the death in a social media post. The Messi family itself had not issued a public statement at the time of the initial reports, according to Sporting News.
Jorge Messi had spent his final months moving between a medical center in Rosario and his home, accompanied by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and his children Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol, according to The Guardian. Newell’s Old Boys described him in its tribute as the person who, with vision, rigor and care, supported the career of “the best player of all time” alongside Celia. Conmebol, South American soccer’s governing body, also issued condolences.
Health situation known since the World Cup
Jorge Messi’s declining health became public during the 2026 World Cup. On June 18, 2026, the family released a statement to outlets including ESPN saying he was under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably given his condition. The family also criticized what it called insensitive and unverified rumors circulating about his illness, calling it a strictly private, family matter. The specific cause of his death has not been disclosed by any of the sources.
Lionel Messi broke down in tears during the World Cup after scoring his opening goal in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, and later said the emotion stemmed from “something unrelated to football” following a few difficult, complicated days. There was also speculation, noted by The Guardian, that his emotional reaction during Argentina’s last-16 win over Egypt was tied in part to his father’s worsening condition. Sporting News reported that Messi had previously acknowledged off-field issues made it hard to fully focus on Inter Miami’s MLS season and World Cup preparation.
Jorge Messi’s role in his son’s career
Jorge Messi worked as a supervisor at a metal factory in Rosario before taking over management of his son’s career, according to The Athletic as cited by Sporting News. He guided Lionel through the early years at Barcelona’s academy and later served as his agent, playing a central role in contract negotiations throughout his professional career. That closeness occasionally created friction: Sporting News notes that in 2013, Spanish authorities began scrutinizing the family’s financial affairs, though details beyond that point were not included in the available reporting.
What comes next for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi had spent time with his father after the World Cup before rejoining Inter Miami, returning to match action about a week before his father’s death, per The Guardian. Inter Miami are scheduled to host Monterrey in the 2026 Leagues Cup, with the match set for Saturday night. As of the reports, the club had not announced whether Messi would play given the death of his father.
Sources
Featured photo: Christopher Johnson via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)