“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel,” Newell’s Old Boys wrote in a social media tribute
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NEED TO KNOW
- Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died in his hometown of Rosario on Friday, August 7
- “Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini,” Newell’s Old Boys wrote in a social media tribute
- Jorge spent many years serving as Lionel’s agent and managing his business affairs prior to his death
Lionel Messi is mourning the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at age 68.
The Argentinian soccer star’s father died in his hometown of Rosario around 10 p.m. local time on Friday, August 7, according to Argentine and Spanish outlets Infobae, El Español and La Nacion.
Lionel’s first club, Newell’s Old Boys, paid tribute to Jorge, who was also Lionel’s longtime business agent, on social media.
“With deep sorrow and grief, Newell’s Old Boys bids farewell to Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in the city of Rosario,” the club wrote on X, as translated from Spanish. “Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.”
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“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory,” the tribute post continued. “Thank you for teaching him to love these colors. The Board of Directors, members, athletes, and the entire leprosa family embrace with affection Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, and all their loved ones and close ones in this difficult moment. Farewell forever, Leproso.”
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Jorge’s tragic death comes nearly two months after his family shared that he was diagnosed with an illness, although they did not share details at the time.
“He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition,” the family said in a statement in June, per ESPN.
The statement followed speculation surrounding Jorge’s health, with the Messi family expressing its “deep displeasure” at the “lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter.”
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“The family also wishes to clarify that only his closest family members have accurate and reliable information about Jorge’s condition,” the statement continued. “Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come from the family itself and its official channels should not be considered valid or true. At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and compassion.”
After he scored the first goal during Argentina’s opening World Cup match two days prior, which ended with the team earning a 3-0 victory over Algeria, Lionel, 39, grew teary-eyed. When asked what made him so emotional, he shared that it was for personal reasons.
“Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I went through some difficult days,” he said at the time. “But I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to help me get through it.”
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