Jorge Messi, the father and long-time agent of football star Lionel Messi, died on Friday, 7 August 2026, in Rosario, Argentina. He was 68 years old.
Argentine media outlets Infobae and the Rosario3 network were first to report the news, stating that Jorge had passed away at approximately 10 pm local time in a Rosario hospital.
Lionel Messi’s boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, subsequently confirmed the death by publishing a tribute statement on X.
Was Messi’s father sick?
Jorge had been living with a serious chronic condition for an extended period before his death.
Reports indicate a complex heart and neurological illness, though the family never publicly confirmed an official diagnosis.
His deteriorating health had grown increasingly visible to the public in the months leading up to his death.
In June 2026, the Messi family issued a statement confirming that Jorge was under strict medical supervision, and asked both media and the public to respect their privacy after false reports of his death had circulated online.
Jorge’s condition also appeared to weigh heavily on his son during the 2026 World Cup, where Lionel was visibly emotional at times and acknowledged that his family was enduring a difficult period. Jorge himself was absent from the stands throughout the tournament due to his health.
In late July, Lionel skipped the MLS All-Star Game and flew to Argentina to spend time with his father.
What role did Messi’s father play in his career?
Jorge was among the most consequential figures in Lionel’s rise to becoming the world’s most celebrated footballer.
He supported his son from childhood in Rosario and made the journey with him to Barcelona, where he helped manage the early stages of Lionel’s career, including navigating the treatment required for his growth hormone deficiency.
Jorge later took on the formal roles of agent and business adviser, overseeing his son’s contracts and commercial interests across several decades.
Despite the enormous influence he wielded in football’s corridors, Jorge was known for keeping a deliberately low public profile throughout.
Jorge is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, his sons Lionel, Rodrigo and Matías, his daughter María Sol, and several grandchildren. May he rest in peace.
What happened to David Owori?
In other sad news from the football world, TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about the tragic death of SC Villa captain David Owori, who succumbed to injuries following a brutal attack on August 5.
This incident has left the entire Ugandan football community in mourning, as Owori was not only a dedicated player but also a beloved leader who inspired many
