{
  "id": 353183,
  "title": "Barcelona condoles Messi over father’s death",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/barcelona-condoles-messi-over-fathers-death-353183",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T07:08:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/barcelona-condoles-messi-over-fathers-death/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Barcelona has conveyed its condolences to legendary footballer Lionel Messi following the passing of his father, Jorge Messi. In a statement released on X, the club’s President and Board of Directors, speaking on behalf of the entire Barcelona community, expressed their heartfelt sorrow over the loss. The club highlighted Jorge Messi’s pivotal role in fostering Lionel’s football career, stating, “FC Barcelona thanks Jorge Messi for his commitment to our Club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career.” Jorge Messi, who played a significant part in his son’s early years in the sport, is remembered with deep respect. The Catalan club also honored Jorge Messi’s bond with Barcelona and his vital contribution to his son’s successful career. It was reported that Jorge Messi, a long-standing representative for Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi, had passed away at the age of 68, according to MARCA, which referenced Argentine news outlet Infobae.",
  "summary": "FC Barcelona has expressed its condolences to club legend Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. The club's President and Board of Directors, on behalf of the entire Barcelona family, mourned the passing of Jorge Messi and extended their deepest sympathies to the Messi family. The club acknowledged Jorge Messi's role in entrusting Barcelona with the early and most successful years of his son's football career.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Barcelona condoles Messi over father’s death",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/barcelona-condoles-messi-over-fathers-death",
        "published": "2026-08-09T06:48:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}