Lionel Messi’s father Jorge dies

Jorge Messi, the father and long-time representative of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 following a long illness, reports Goal.com.

The businessman passed away on Friday in a hospital in his native Rosario, according to local reports.

Tragic loss for the Messi family

Jorge, the father of legendary footballer Messi, has died at the age of 68. The businessman and long-time football representative passed away this Friday in a hospital located in his native Rosario, Argentina. According to reports from Infobae, Jorge had been suffering from a long illness prior to his passing.

The tragic news comes as a devastating blow to the entire Messi family, with an official confirmation of his death currently pending. Jorge played a monumental and irreplaceable role in shaping one of the greatest football careers in history, guiding his son from the very beginning.

The foundation of a legendary career

Messi's incredible rise to the absolute pinnacle of world football simply cannot be understood without highlighting his father's immense influence. This was particularly true during the earliest and most challenging years of the young attacker's journey. When Lionel moved from South America to Barcelona as a child to join the Catalan giants, his father made the crucial decision to personally accompany him. The rest of the family initially remained behind in Rosario while they navigated the transition.

During a highly uncertain stage marked by major life changes, Jorge served as essential emotional and practical support. He helped his son adapt to a completely new life in Europe.

A guiding hand behind the scenes

As Lionel grew older and his professional career began to take on a truly global dimension, Jorge's own role inevitably evolved alongside his son. He transitioned seamlessly into managing the player's complex professional affairs at the highest level.

Jorge consistently acted as one of his son's primary representatives in the sport. Over the years, he was deeply involved in taking part in some of the most important decisions regarding Lionel's extraordinary path in football. His dedicated work ensured that the Argentine icon could focus firmly on his performances on the pitch, knowing his business affairs were highly secure.