3 min readUpdated: Aug 8, 2026 07:54 PM IST
Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi has died at the age of 68 in the city of Rosario, Argentina. News of Messi senior’s death was first reported in Argentinian news outlets before tributes came in from Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s childhood club, and Club Atletico Rosario Central, the football club based in the city of Rosario that was Lionel Messi’s birthplace as well.
UNICEF Argentina has also paid tribute to Jorge Messi. “We regret the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our Goodwill Ambassador Lionel Messi and a person always committed to the rights of boys and girls and a benefactor of
@unicef. We accompany Celia, his children, his family, friends, and colleagues in this difficult moment,” it said.
Lamentamos el fallecimiento de Jorge Messi, padre de nuestro Embajador de Buena Voluntad Lionel Messi y una persona comprometida siempre con los derechos de chicos y chicas y benefactor de @unicef
Acompañamos a Celia, a sus hijos, sus familiares, amigos y colegas en este… pic.twitter.com/IkDIlPL553
— UNICEF ARGENTINA (@UNICEFargentina) August 8, 2026
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Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi (Reuters Photo)
El Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys despide con profundo dolor y pesar a Jorge Messi, quien falleció a los 68 años de edad en la ciudad de Rosario.
Reconocido hincha leproso, empresario y padre del capitán del seleccionado argentino, Lionel Andrés Messi.
Jorge fue el sostén y la… pic.twitter.com/8dFPMRdM9Z
— Newell’s Old Boys (@Newells) August 8, 2026
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Tributes also came in from CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation. “CONMEBOL deeply regrets the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi. We accompany Lionel, his family, friends, and loved ones with respect and affection in this moment of profound grief. May he rest in peace,” it said.
Jorge was crucial behind the scenes in his son’s prolific career. He coached Messi during his early years at a local club in Rosario and saw him through the period when he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child.
Jorge then travelled with the then-13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona where the latter joined the club’s famed youth system. Barcelona subsequently covered the cost of his treatment and just three years later, Messi made his senior debut for the Catalan giants. Jorge went on to become his son’s representative as he quickly went about establishing himself among the best of his generation, and eventually being recognised among the greatest players of all time.
More to come…
