Lionel Messi's father Jorge dies at 74 in Barcelona

Jorge Messi, the father and lifelong agent of Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 74 in Barcelona. The news was confirmed on Sunday by family members and friends close to the household. Jorge had been battling health issues for several years, including a lengthy recovery from a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2016. His role as both father and advisor to the Argentine superstar shaped Lionel’s career, from early negotiations at Newell’s Old Boys to the record-breaking deal that took him to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Jorge Messi was far more than a parent. He managed his son’s finances, contracts, and public image for decades, often negotiating directly with clubs and agents. Lionel Messi’s rise from Rosario to global fame was closely tied to his father’s guidance, especially during the 2010s when Jorge helped steer him through Inter Miami’s 2023 move to MLS. The family faced setbacks too—Jorge was present when Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after the club’s financial collapse left them unable to re-sign him, a moment that shocked fans worldwide.

The death comes just days after Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a record 3-1 win over Nashville SC. While Jorge had not been seen in public for months, Lionel posted a tribute on social media calling him “the backbone of our family” and thanked him for “every sacrifice you made for us.” Former teammates and club officials from Barcelona and PSG also offered condolences, with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi calling Jorge “a man of quiet strength.”

With Lionel Messi’s contract at Inter Miami due to expire in December, the family is now facing a difficult period. Questions are already emerging about the future of Messi’s career and whether Jorge’s absence will influence decisions about his next move. For a family that built its identity around unity, this loss marks the end of an era.