{
  "id": 311343,
  "title": "Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father and longtime agent, dies at 68",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/jorge-messi-lionel-messis-father-and-longtime-agent-dies-at-68",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T14:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/jorge-messi-death-rosario-argentina-99557efd37d8bd92cd8eb1ed24365f87"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jorge Messi, father of famed soccer player Lionel Messi and longtime agent, passed away at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina. Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys confirmed his death through a social media post, revealing that he had been undergoing treatment for an unspecified illness in recent months. The club described Jorge as a pillar and the person who, with vision, rigor, and affection, supported Lionel’s career. South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, offered condolences with respect and affection for Lionel. Lionel Messi guided Argentina to a runner-up finish in the recent World Cup, scoring three goals in the team’s matches, with one instance of visible emotion after his opening goal. He later revealed that he had gone through difficult, complicated days. His family released a statement expressing discomfort at the lack of sensitivity and respect with which the media had treated Lionel’s private and family matter. Jorge Messi had a background as a chemical technician, steelworker, and soccer player, playing as a midfielder in the youth ranks of Newell’s Old Boys before having to abandon the sport to fulfill his military service in Argentina.",
  "summary": "MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Jorge Messi, the father of soccer star and Argentina captain Lionel Messi, died Saturday at a hospital in the central Argentina city of Rosario. He was 68.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, dies at 68 in Rosario, Argentina",
    "Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys confirms his death via social media",
    "CONMEBOL offers condolences to Lionel Messi"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/311343.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Lionel’s Messi father Jorge Messi has passed away at the age of 68 after battling a long illness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/lionels-messi-father-jorge-messi-has-passed-away-at-the-age-of-68",
        "published": "2026-08-08T12:16:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "BREAKING: Messi’s father, Jorge, dies at 68",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/breaking-messis-father-jorge-dies-at-68",
        "published": "2026-08-08T14:00:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father and longtime agent, dies at 68",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/jorge-messi-lionel-messis-father-and-longtime-agent-dies-at-68-312256",
        "published": "2026-08-08T14:55:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "Father of Football Star Lionel Messi, Jorge Messi, Dies at 68",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/father-of-football-star-lionel-messi-jorge-messi-dies-at-68",
        "published": "2026-08-08T15:21:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Jorge Messi, father of football star Lionel Messi, passes away after health struggles",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/jorge-messi-father-of-football-star-lionel-messi-passes-away-after",
        "published": "2026-08-08T15:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Messi’s father dies after prolonged illness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/messis-father-dies-after-prolonged-illness",
        "published": "2026-08-08T19:48:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "This Day",
        "title": "Lionel Messi’s Father, Jorge Dies at 68",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/lionel-messis-father-jorge-dies-at-68",
        "published": "2026-08-09T02:42:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}