Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Argentina's Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. The family announced his death at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, following a long illness.
In his final months, Jorge Messi alternated between a medical centre in Rosario and his home, accompanied by his wife, Celia, and children Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol. Newell’s Old Boys confirmed the death, stating he had undergone treatment for an unspecified illness.
Lionel Messi spent time with his father after the World Cup before rejoining his club, Inter Miami. During the World Cup, Messi had spoken of a difficult personal situation, later explaining his tears were due to "something unrelated to football" after "a few difficult, complicated days."
Inter Miami is scheduled to play Monterrey on Saturday in the 2026 Leagues Cup, but the MLS club has not yet announced whether Lionel Messi will feature.