{
  "id": 311723,
  "title": "Jorge Messi, father of Lionel, dies aged 68",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/jorge-messi-father-of-lionel-dies-aged-68",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T13:58:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0808/1587070-jorge-messi-father-of-lionel-dies-aged-68/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jorge Messi, father of renowned soccer player Lionel Messi, passed away at the age of 68 on Friday night in a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, due to a prolonged illness, according to a statement from the family to Reuters. During his final months, Jorge alternated between a medical center in Rosario and his residence, supported by his wife Celia and their children Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol. Lionel Messi visited his father post-World Cup before returning to Inter Miami, where he resumed his professional career a week later. Jorge played a pivotal role in Lionel's early career, starting from their time at Barcelona, often serving as his representative and providing crucial support. Lionel has always depended on his father's approval, recalling how he would ask for his dad's opinion after every match. Following Lionel's hat-trick in the opening match of the World Cup against Algeria, he was seen breaking down in tears, although he later clarified that the tears stemmed from unrelated personal issues after facing a few challenging days. In a subsequent statement, the family disclosed Jorge's health condition, informing the public that he was undergoing medical treatment.",
  "summary": "Jorge Messi, the father of soccer star Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. According to RTE News, he passed away on Friday night at a medical clinic in the Argentine city of Rosario after a long illness. The South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL confirmed his death on Saturday, expressing deep regret and offering condolences to Lionel Messi and his family.\n\nJorge Messi played a significant role in his son's career, serving as his agent and representing him in negotiations with clubs and commercial companies. He was instrumental in Lionel Messi's early days as a footballer, including his move to Barcelona in the early 2000s. Yahoo Sports reported that Jorge Messi's health had been a concern during the recent World Cup, and Lionel Messi had been visibly emotional during Argentina's opening match.\n\nJorge Messi is survived by his wife Celia, sons Lionel, Rodrigo, and Matias, daughter Maria Sol, and a number of grandchildren. The cause of his death was not disclosed. CONMEBOL and Lionel Messi's first club, Newell's Old Boys, paid tribute to Jorge Messi, with the latter describing him as someone who had played a fundamental role in Lionel's rise to become one of the greatest football players of all time.",
  "key_points": [
    "Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, dies at 68 in Argentina.",
    "Served as Lionel's representative during Barcelona years.",
    "Lionel visited father post-World Cup before returning to Inter Miami."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi dies after long illness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/lionel-messis-father-jorge-messi-dies-after-long-illness",
        "published": "2026-08-08T13:54:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Lionel Messi’s father dies aged 68 after a long illness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/lionel-messis-father-dies-aged-68-after-a-long-illness",
        "published": "2026-08-08T14:25:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Lionel Messi's father, Jorge, dies aged 68, CONMEBOL says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/lionel-messis-father-jorge-dies-aged-68-conmebol-says",
        "published": "2026-08-08T15:03:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Messi's father Jorge dies aged 68 after illness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/messis-father-jorge-dies-aged-68-after-illness",
        "published": "2026-08-08T15:51:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "Lionel Messi’s Father, Jorge Messi, Dies at 68",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/lionel-messis-father-jorge-messi-dies-at-68",
        "published": "2026-08-08T16:47:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}