Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, has passed away at 68 following a lengthy illness, according to reports from Argentine outlet Infobae and Spanish sports publication MARCA.
Reports indicate Jorge died Friday night at a medical facility in Rosario, Argentina.
Married to Celia Cuccittini, Jorge was father to four children — Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol. Beyond his role as a parent, he was a driving force behind his son’s football career from its earliest days at Newell’s Old Boys through to global stardom.
One of Jorge’s most consequential contributions came early on: when Lionel needed growth hormone therapy that couldn’t be secured in Argentina, Jorge helped organize the family’s move to Barcelona when Lionel was just 13. He remained with his son in Spain through the difficult adjustment period, while the rest of the family stayed behind in Rosario.
Messi has spoken publicly about how pivotal his father’s support was during that time, describing how the two of
Jorge went on to manage much of his son’s business affairs, including brand partnerships, while largely staying out of the public eye himself.
Concerns about Jorge’s health first surfaced during the 2026 World Cup, when Lionel appeared visibly emotional after Argentina’s opening match, later attributing it to family matters rather than football. The Messi family subsequently confirmed Jorge was receiving medical care and was “recovering and progressing favourably” at the time.
Before his son’s career took off, Jorge trained as a chemical technician and worked his way up to a managerial role at Argentine steel company Acindar. In his youth, he had also played football himself, featuring as a midfielder in Newell’s junior ranks before military service ended his playing days.
He leaves behind a legacy as one of the central, if quiet, figures behind one of the greatest careers in football history
