Jorge Messi, the father and long-time representative of Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi, has passed away at 68 years old. This news was reported by MARCA on Saturday, referencing the Argentine outlet Infobae.
An independent investigation conducted by Obasanjonews24, along with various other media outlets, revealed that Jorge passed away around 10 PM on Friday at a sanatorium in Rosario, Argentina, after enduring a prolonged illness.
Jorge, married to Celia Cuccittini and father of four children—Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol—was instrumental in his son’s journey from a young talent at Newell’s Old Boys to becoming one of football’s most celebrated stars.
He played a crucial role in ensuring Lionel received the necessary medical treatment when he needed growth hormone therapy.
After trying unsuccessfully to obtain treatment in Argentina, Jorge facilitated his son’s relocation to Barcelona when he was 13 years old.
He later stayed with Lionel in Spain during the initial and challenging phases of his European journey, while the rest of the family remained in Rosario.
In a 2007 interview, Lionel recalled that his father had asked him if he wished to keep chasing his dream in Spain or come back home.
“My dad was always there for me, even during the tough times,” Messi reminisced.
He recounted, “My father asked me whether I wanted to keep going or head back. I chose to continue, and he stayed by my side.”
That decision marked a pivotal moment in the footballer’s career, as Messi went on to solidify his place at Barcelona and ultimately become one of the most acclaimed players in football history.
Jorge also played a crucial role in handling his son’s off-field matters, such as negotiations with prominent international brands.
Although Jorge played a significant part in Messi’s career, he mostly stayed out of the spotlight and granted only a few interviews throughout the years.
During one of those interviews, he shared a heartfelt message with his son as Lionel was starting to rise as an international football sensation.
“You are well aware that we’ve experienced both good times and challenging moments,” Jorge remarked.
He mentioned that those challenging experiences had helped fortify the family and conveyed to his son that, in addition to being an outstanding footballer, he considered Lionel “an exceptional person.”
Jorge’s health became a topic of interest during the 2026 World Cup when Lionel got emotional after Argentina’s first match.
Following his hat-trick, when asked about his reaction, Messi stated, “The reason is entirely unrelated to sports. I recently went through some challenging and complicated days.”
When asked later about the family situation, Messi replied, “Honestly, it’s mainly because of the family.”
The Messi family later stated that Jorge is “under medical supervision, recovering and making positive progress given his condition.”
Jorge, who was trained as a chemical technician, started his career at Acindar—an Argentine steel company—in the 1980s and ultimately advanced to the position of manager.
In his youth, he played as a midfielder in Newell’s development program before leaving football when summoned for military service.
His death signifies the loss of an individual who stayed mostly behind the scenes, yet played a crucial role in shaping and managing Lionel Messi’s remarkable career.
