Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father, has passed away at the age of 68.

Jorge Messi, father of Argentina’s captain and FC Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68, according to several Argentine and Spanish media. According to reports, including from Infobae, Jorge Messi died on Friday evening around 10 PM local time in a clinic in Rosario, his hometown in Argentina. “Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Andrés Messi, passed away last night at 10 PM in a clinic in the city of Rosario, Argentina,” Infobae reports, citing sources close to the family.

This loss comes as Lionel Messi had recently been overwhelmed with emotion during Argentina’s campaign for the 2026 World Cup. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner broke down in tears after scoring his first goal against Algeria. After the match, the Argentine forward was keen to clarify that his emotion was not directly related to football.

The Messi family also confirmed that Jorge Messi was experiencing health issues and was undergoing medical treatment. They had asked the public and the media to respect their privacy. A key figure in Lionel Messi’s circle, Jorge Messi played a major role in his son’s career. He was involved in managing his affairs throughout his rise, from his beginnings in Rosario to his status as a global football star.