Jorge Messi, the steadfast father and lifelong business manager who guided Lionel Messi from the dusty youth pitches of Rosario, Argentina, to the absolute pinnacle of global sports, has died at the age of 68 following a prolonged battle with illness.
He passed away quietly on the evening of August 7 at a medical clinic in his hometown of Rosario, surrounded by family.
News of his passing triggered an outpouring of grief across the footballing world, with Messi’s boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, leading the tributes to the man whose firm hand and unwavering dedication shaped football history.
“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,” the club shared in a statement across social media platforms. “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.”
A Behind-the-Scenes Guardian
While Lionel Messi captivated hundreds of millions with his unmatched brilliance on the pitch, it was Jorge who anchored the empire off it.
From negotiating his son’s iconic early contracts with FC Barcelona to navigating the complex, high-stakes waters of global superstardom, Jorge acted as both a protective father and a formidable representative. Unlike many high-profile sports managers, he largely shunned the public spotlight, preferring to let his son’s football do the talking while he quietly managed the immense pressures behind the scenes.
In recent months, however, Jorge’s declining health cast a heavy emotional shadow over his son’s career.
During the World Cup in June, fans and commentators were struck by the sight of an unusually emotional Lionel Messi following Argentina’s decisive 3-0 victory over Algeria. Despite the triumph on the pitch, the superstar appeared visibly burdened during post-match interviews.
Addressing his rare display of raw emotion, Messi offered a brief, guarded explanation to reporters: “Honestly, it is something completely unrelated to sport. It has been a difficult, complicated few days.”
Days later, news broke confirming that Jorge was gravely ill and under close medical care back in Argentina.
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
A World Cup Broadcast Nightmare
The private family crisis became international news during the World Cup under tragic and bizarre circumstances.
While Jorge was receiving treatment, Argentine television presenter Florencia Peña erroneously announced live on air during a Luzu TV broadcast that Jorge Messi had passed away.
The false report triggered immediate shockwaves, spreading rapidly across global media and social networks before producers realized the catastrophic error and issued a retraction.
The fallout from the broadcast mistake was swift. Peña resigned from her presenting post shortly after the incident, taking full responsibility for airing the unverified information while explaining that the incorrect update had been passed to her by the show’s production team while the cameras were rolling.
“I apologize again from the heart. I was wrong,” Peña said in her public resignation statement, expressing deep shame over the pain caused to the Messi family during an already agonizing period.
A Lasting Legacy
Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children: Rodrigo, Matías, Lionel, and María Sol.
While the sporting world mourns the loss of the quiet strategist who helped orchestrate one of the most remarkable careers in modern history, his true legacy remains visible in every achievement, trophy, and milestone reached by the son he guided every step of the way.