Jorge Messi, father of football icon Lionel Messi, has reportedly died at the age of 68 after a prolonged battle with health issues, according to multiple Argentine media reports.
Concerns over Jorge’s condition became public months earlier after Lionel Messi appeared emotional following Argentina’s match against Algeria at the World Cup in June.
The Argentina captain was visibly moved after scoring and, when asked about his tears, explained that his emotions had nothing to do with the match itself.
“I have had a few difficult days,” Messi said at the time.
His comment triggered widespread speculation that his father’s health was behind his emotional state. As reports about Jorge’s condition continued to circulate, the Messi family released a statement confirming that he was receiving medical attention.
The family appealed to the public and media to respect Jorge’s privacy, particularly amid conflicting reports and speculation about the nature of his illness.
The statement said Jorge was “currently dealing with health problems” and was “under medical supervision and is recovering well.”
The family also criticised what it described as insensitive treatment of a private family matter and thanked people who had expressed concern and offered their support.
Lionel Messi later missed the Major League Soccer All-Star Game at the end of July, with reports suggesting that he had travelled to spend time with his father. He returned to action for Inter Miami a few days later.
Jorge was an important figure throughout Lionel Messi’s football journey and had played a prominent role in managing his son’s career and affairs.
His reported death at 68 now brings an end to a long health battle that had kept the Messi family away from the public eye in recent months.
