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 in the Newell's youth ranks before abandoning the game for compulsory military service. His role in his son's career began around 2000, when he travelled with the teenager to Barcelona for the trial that opened the doors of La Masia, the Catalan club's academy, and moved to Spain with him once Barcelona signed him. He went on to become Lionel's agent, negotiating his contracts at Barcelona and his later transfers to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, while managing his image rights and his investments in property, hotels and restaurants. In 2016 father and son were convicted of tax evasion in Spain, but avoided prison because the sentences fell below two years.

His death followed months of public speculation about his health. Lionel Messi wept on the pitch after scoring the first of his three goals in Argentina's opening match of this year's World Cup against Algeria, saying only that he had cried for "a reason unrelated to sports". The family later confirmed that Jorge was "experiencing a health issue" without naming the condition, and criticised the "lack of sensitivity, respect and scruples" with which some had treated a private matter. Argentina finished as runners-up at the tournament, four years after Jorge saw his son lift the 2022 title. CONMEBOL said it stood by Lionel "with respect and affection in this moment of profound grief". Inter Miami were due to play Monterrey in the Leagues Cup that night, and it was unclear whether Messi would appear.