Jorge Messi, father of Lionel Messi, passes away at 68

Jorge Messi, aged 68, died in the early hours of Saturday at Sanatorio Centro hospital in Rosario, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. He missed the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, where Argentina reached the final but lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.

The hospital's Medical Director, Carlos Mackey, confirmed his passing at 2:00 a.m. and requested respect for the family's privacy, providing no further details on the cause of death. Jorge Messi was instrumental in his son Lionel's career, having taken him to Europe for treatment and signing his first contract with Barcelona on a napkin in December 2020.

Tributes have come from Newell’s Old Boys, the Argentina Football Association, and both Barcelona and Real Madrid, acknowledging his significant role in Lionel's football journey and expressing condolences to the family.