Lionel Messi has been hit by a devastating personal loss following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, only weeks after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Jorge Messi, who was 68, reportedly passed away in Rosario, Argentina, after a prolonged illness. His death marks a deeply painful moment for the Argentina captain, who had remained close to his father throughout his extraordinary football career. Reuters has also confirmed the death, reporting that Jorge passed away after receiving medical treatment and spending time with his family.
The sad development comes shortly after Messi helped Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final. Argentina eventually suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final, bringing an emotional tournament to an end for the South American champions. Messi later returned to Rosario following the tournament to spend some time resting and with his family...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Jorge was far more than Messi’s father. He played a major role in the footballer’s development and career, serving as his representative from his early teenage years and helping guide him through some of the most important decisions of his career.
When Messi moved from Argentina to Spain as a youngster to join Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, Jorge remained an important figure in his son’s life. He continued to provide support as Messi developed from a promising youngster into one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen.
The relationship between father and son remained significant even after Messi achieved global fame, won multiple Ballon d’Or awards and collected major trophies with Barcelona, Argentina and other clubs. Jorge was regularly involved behind the scenes and remained one of the people closest to the football superstar.
Messi’s emotional state during the 2026 World Cup had already attracted attention. During the tournament, the Argentina captain showed visible emotion after scoring a hat trick in his country’s opening match against Algeria. The moment raised questions about what was happening away from the football pitch, with the circumstances surrounding his father’s health later becoming public.
The Messi family had previously addressed concerns about Jorge’s health and asked the public to avoid speculation. At one point during the World Cup, an Argentine television presenter wrongly announced that Jorge had died, forcing the family to clarify that he was still alive and receiving treatment. The presenter later resigned following the false report.
Jorge’s eventual passing has now prompted an outpouring of sympathy from the football community and supporters around the world. His influence on Messi’s journey has been widely recognised, particularly because he remained involved from the early stages of his son’s career.
For Messi, the loss comes at a particularly emotional period. The 2026 World Cup represented another major chapter in his remarkable international career, with Argentina reaching the final before falling narrowly to Spain. After the tournament, Messi returned home to Rosario, where he spent time with his family before continuing his football commitments.
Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia, and their children Rodrigo, Matías, Lionel and María Sol. His death brings to an end the life of a man whose influence extended far beyond being the father of a global football icon.
While Lionel Messi has spent much of his life under the spotlight, the latest tragedy is a reminder that behind the trophies, records and worldwide fame is a son dealing with the loss of one of the most important people in his life.
The football world will now watch as Messi navigates another difficult personal chapter, with tributes expected to continue pouring in for Jorge Messi and recognition growing for the role he played in helping shape the career of one of football’s most celebrated figures.
