{
  "id": 466749,
  "title": "Football World Mourns With Messi After Loss Of Father",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/football-world-mourns-with-messi-after-loss-of-father",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-10T12:08:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Guide Network",
    "slug": "daily-guide-network",
    "url": "https://dailyguidenetwork.com/football-world-mourns-with-messi-after-loss-of-father/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jorge Messi, the father of world-renowned footballer Lionel Messi, passed away on Saturday at the age of 68 following a long illness. Jorge, who had been Lionel's agent since the Argentine star was just 14, played a pivotal role in his son's illustrious football career. In recognition of Jorge's contributions, Inter Miami, the football club where Lionel plays, observed a minute's silence before their match against Monterrey. The players wore black armbands and the club's social media profile featured a black ribbon. A statement from Inter Miami read, \"Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.\"\n\nLionel's Argentina teammates also paid tribute to their fallen teammate. Rodrigo De Paul, during a celebration after scoring the opening goal, revealed a Messi shirt beneath his regular attire. Support for Jorge was also palpable among the fans, who displayed handmade messages paying homage to the late father and expressing their condolences. Messi's close friend and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, though suspended for the game, took to social media to tribute Jorge, stating that he would continue to support his son with pride.\n\nBarcelona, Messi's former club, honored Jorge before a friendly match against Nottingham Forest in Italy. They too observed a minute's silence and expressed gratitude to Jorge for having facilitated Lionel's move to Barcelona when the young player was 13. Barcelona's fans, too, paid their respects by leaving flowers and flags outside Messi's childhood home in Rosario. Both Boca Juniors and River Plate, other Argentine clubs, also paid their respects by observing moments of silence prior to their matches.\n\nThe Argentine Football Association described Jorge's death as a profound loss and extended its condolences to Messi and his family. Paris Saint-Germain, where Lionel played from 2021 to 2023, also extended its support during this difficult time. The football world, it seemed, mourned the loss of Jorge Messi, who had been as instrumental in his son's career as he had been in his own.",
  "summary": "Jorge Messi Lionel Messi was absent from Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup clash with Monterrey on Saturday following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68. Read More... The post Football World Mourns With Messi After Loss Of Father appeared first on DailyGuide Network .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}