{
  "id": 327889,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T15:21:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tempo.co English",
    "slug": "tempo-co-english",
    "url": "https://en.tempo.co/read/2117019/father-of-football-star-lionel-messi-jorge-messi-dies-at-68"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jorge Messi, the father of football sensation Lionel Messi, died at the age of 68 on August 7 in a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina. He had been receiving treatment for an illness for an extended period, alternating between a medical center in Rosario and his home. Accompanied by his wife, Celia, and children Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol, Jorge's passing is seen as a significant loss for Lionel Messi, who credited his father's direct support throughout his long career.\n\nLionel Messi was recently seen weeping during a 2026 World Cup match, celebrating his first goal in Argentina's opening game against Algeria. He scored a hat-trick in the match. Following the game, Messi's family released a statement regarding Jorge's health, revealing that he was undergoing medical treatment. Messi had spent time with his father after the World Cup and returned to action with Inter Miami about a week ago. Jorge had played a pivotal role in Lionel Messi's career, accompanying his son since his early days at Barcelona and serving as his son's agent for many years.",
  "summary": "The father of football superstar Lionel Messi, Jorge Messi, passed away late Friday, August 7, after battling an illness.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "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": "Associated Press",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-08T14:53:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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": "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."
}