Lionel Messi's Father and Agent Dies at 68

Jorge Messi trained as a chemical technician and worked as a steelworker. He had played as a midfielder for the Newell's youth teams, but he gave up football for his compulsory military service. His part in his son's career began around 2000, when he took the teenager to Barcelona for the trial that opened the door to La Masia, the club's academy, and then moved to Spain with him after Barcelona signed him. As his son's agent, he negotiated the deals with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. In 2016 both men were found guilty of tax evasion in Spain, but neither went to prison.

His death followed months of public speculation about his health. Lionel Messi cried on the pitch after scoring the first of his three goals against Algeria at this year's World Cup, and said only that the reason had nothing to do with sport. His family later confirmed that Jorge was ill but did not say what the illness was, and criticised the way some people had treated a private matter. Argentina finished second at the tournament, four years after winning the 2022 title.