{
  "id": 317041,
  "title": "Lionel Messi's father Jorge dies aged 68 after illness",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/lionel-messis-father-jorge-dies-aged-68-after-illness",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T16:24:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/08/08/lionel-messis-father-jorge-dies-aged-68-after-illness/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jorge Messi, father of football legend Lionel Messi, passed away on Friday night at the age of 68 in a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness, according to the family. During his final months, Jorge alternated between the clinic and their home in the company of his wife Celia and their children Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol. Lionel, 39 at the time, visited his father after the World Cup in North America before returning to Inter Miami, his current club.\n\nJorge's presence was significant in Lionel's career, starting from his early days at Barcelona and continuing for many years as his representative. Lionel once mentioned, \"I always needed my dad's approval, since I was a kid. After every match, I'd ask him how I played.\"\n\nThe football world mourned the loss of Jorge, who broke down in tears during the World Cup after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria, attributing his emotional state to \"something unrelated to football\" following a series of difficult days.\n\nThe Argentinian FA and several football clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Lionel Messi's previous team Newell's Old Boys, expressed their condolences to the family, offering their support in this challenging period. Inter Miami, Lionel's current team, is set to face Monterrey in the Leagues Cup group stage the following Saturday.",
  "summary": "Jorge Messi, the father of football star Lionel Messi, died on Friday night at the age of 68 at a medical clinic in the Argentine city of Rosario after a long illness, the footballer's family confirmed. Jorge spent his final months alternating between a medical center in Rosario and his home, accompanied by his wife Celia and his children Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol, the family said. Lionel…",
  "key_points": [
    "Jorge Messi dies at 68 in Argentina clinic after illness",
    "Lionel Messi visits father during World Cup, returns to Inter Miami",
    "Football world mourns Jorge's loss, Inter Miami set for Leagues Cup"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Argentina won't push Lionel Messi for decision on his soccer future",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/argentina-wont-push-lionel-messi-for-decision-on-his-soccer-future",
        "published": "2026-08-07T14:06:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "'Homemade bombs and an AR-15:' How an American plotted to kill Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/homemade-bombs-and-an-ar-15-how-an-american-plotted-to-kill-lionel",
        "published": "2026-08-08T01:37:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Lionel Messi's father Jorge dies aged 68 after illness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/lionel-messis-father-jorge-dies-aged-68-after-illness-329161",
        "published": "2026-08-08T16:24:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}