Jorge Messi, Father and Longtime Adviser of Lionel Messi, Dies at 68

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime adviser of Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi, died at age 68, as reported on August 8, 2026. Reports attributed to Argentine and Spanish media, including Infobae, said he reportedly passed away Friday night around 10 p.m. local time in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The accounts were presented only as attributed coverage, with wording such as 'according to reports from Argentine and international media' and 'according to multiple reports in Argentina.' No document provided independent confirmation beyond those attributed reports.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Reports cite prolonged health struggles

Multiple reports described his passing as following a prolonged health issue, characterized as a long illness, a battle with illness for some time, and health struggles. The language reflects the reports' own descriptions rather than a disclosed medical record.^[1][3][4][5]

One report noted that similar claims about his health had circulated in June and were rejected at the time, with the family indicating then that he was receiving medical care and recovering under medical supervision.^[1]

Adviser role from Rosario to Barcelona

Jorge Messi was identified as a longtime adviser to his son who acted as his representative and agent and helped manage the business side of his career. He was described as central to Lionel Messi's move from Rosario to Barcelona as a young teenager, accompanying him during that transition and remaining closely involved in his professional development.^[1][4]

Coverage revisiting their relationship pointed to moments including Messi's first Ballon d'Or in 2009 and Messi lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with Jorge present, and to family photographs circulating on social media after the reports of his death.^[4]