Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi dies at 68

Jorge Messi, the father of football superstar Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68. As reported by The Chosun Daily, Jorge Messi has been battling a long-term illness and was hospitalized in Rosario for treatment.

Jorge was not only Messi’s father but also served as his long-term agent. He was one of the most important assistants during Messi’s growth into the world’s top footballer.

Lionel Messi penned heartfelt words for his father passing: “My father has always been my biggest support in life. Everything I am today with him believing in me. Football has given me everything, but family will always come first. Because behind everything, I am still a son before anything else.”

Today, Lionel Messi has lost the man who stood behind him through every step of his journey, his biggest supporter, his father, and the person who believed in him from the beginning.

Rest in peace, Jorge Messi."

Jorge has mostly avoided public gatherings and always stayed behind Messi and represented Messi and conducted negotiations on his behalf with commercial companies.

His health deteriorated in the last World Cup, Messi himself indicated things were tough at home. Jorge, who seeks treatment methods to allow Messi to continue playing football during his childhood, crossed over to Barcelona with his son to start their European life.