By Ghazali Ibrahim
Jorge Messi, the father of Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi and a longtime adviser to the Inter Miami forward, has died at the age of 68.
Multiple reports said Jorge died on Friday night in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness.
The exact cause of his death has not been officially disclosed.
Jorge’s health had become a subject of public attention in June after the Messi family confirmed that he was receiving medical treatment.
At the time, the family asked the media and the public to respect their privacy and avoid speculation about his condition.
Beyond being Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge played a major role in the footballer’s career.
He was involved in managing Messi’s professional affairs from his early years and remained one of his closest advisers as his son developed into one of football’s biggest stars.
Jorge was also instrumental during Messi’s formative years in Rosario, where the future Argentina captain began developing his footballing talent before moving to Spain as a teenager to join Barcelona’s youth academy.
Messi’s rise from Rosario to global football stardom was closely followed by his family, with Jorge remaining an important figure in his son’s career.
The news of Jorge’s death comes after years in which he remained closely involved in Messi’s professional and personal life.
Jorge is survived by his wife, Cecilia, their children Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol, and several grandchildren.
Tributes are expected to continue pouring in for Jorge, whose influence was central to the early development and career of one of the greatest footballers of his generation.
