Lionel Messi's Father Jorge Passes Away at 68

The 39-year-old Inter Miami attacker has also collected a record eight Ballon d’Or awards. During 17 seasons with Barcelona’s senior side, he lifted the Champions League trophy four times and won 10 La Liga championships.

Jorge was a devoted supporter of his hometown club, Newell’s Old Boys, where Lionel began playing at the age of seven.

After Barcelona signed Lionel when he was only 13, the family moved to Spain in February 2001. Messi’s mother and three siblings later returned to Rosario, while his father remained alongside him in Barcelona.

“Together with his wife, Celia Cuccittini, Jorge was the foundation of the greatest player’s career, guiding him with foresight, discipline and love,” Newell’s Old Boys wrote on X., external

“His unwavering presence and quiet leadership played a crucial role at every stage of Lionel’s journey, from his earliest days at the Malvinas youth academy to the highest achievements in world football.

“We are grateful that you taught him to cherish these colours.”

The club also said it was sending its love and support to Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias, Maria Sol and everyone close to the family during this challenging period.

Barcelona expressed its gratitude to Jorge for his dedication to the club and for trusting it with both the opening chapter and the most successful years of Leo’s playing career.

The Argentine Football Association said it was deeply saddened by the reported death of Jorge Messi, the father of national team captain and icon Lionel Messi.

It also offered its solidarity to the whole family and sent them its warmest and most sincere support at such a difficult time.

Messi’s family issued a response after an Argentine television host incorrectly claimed that Jorge had died during Argentina’s first match at this summer’s World Cup.

The host subsequently stepped down, while the family voiced serious concern over the insensitivity and absence of respect and discretion shown by some people toward an entirely private family issue.