Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father and longtime agent, dies at 68

Jorge Messi, father of Argentina's soccer star Lionel Messi, passed away at the age of 68 on August 8, according to the club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys. He had been battling an unspecified illness in recent months, with the club describing him as a "pillar" who supported Lionel's career with vision, rigor, and affection. The South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, also expressed sympathy for Lionel and his family.

Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to a runner-up finish in the 2022 World Cup, shared that he wept for reasons unrelated to sports after scoring his first goal in the team's first match against Algeria. He later said, "I went through some difficult, complicated days," and expressed gratitude for his team and their continuous support.

Jorge Messi, a chemical technician and former steelworker, was also a soccer player, having played as a midfielder. He initially joined Newell’s Old Boys but had to discontinue due to mandatory military service in Argentina. His role in Lionel's career was pivotal, serving as his agent and managing business affairs, including the negotiations of contracts with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami. Additionally, he managed Lionel's image rights and his various investments in real estate, hotels, and restaurants.

In 2016, Jorge and Lionel were convicted of tax evasion in Spanish courts but avoided prison due to a sentence of less than two years.