Jorge Messi, the father and agent of football legend Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. The announcement was made by Newell's Old Boys, Lionel Messi's childhood club, on social media. Jorge had been a constant companion and behind-the-scenes leader, supporting Lionel throughout his career. Reports indicate that Jorge passed away in a hospital in Rosario, Argentina.
A Pillar of Support
Jorge Messi played a crucial role in Lionel's life and career. He was not only Lionel's first coach in Argentina but also his sole companion when they moved to Barcelona as a child. Jorge later became Lionel's agent, managing his career at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and in Miami. Lionel often credited his father for his success, stating, "My father helped me enormously. He is very critical of me. That made me always want to push myself further."
A Life of Sacrifice and Controversy
Jorge left a stable job in Argentina in 2000 to move to Spain with his 13-year-old son. Despite the challenges, he supported Lionel's decision to continue his football career. Jorge finalized Lionel's first contract with Barcelona and remained his sole representative. However, their lives were not without controversy. In 2013, Spanish authorities accused both Jorge and Lionel of tax evasion, a case that was resolved in 2017 with multi-million-euro fines. In 2019, new allegations of tax offenses, fraud, and money laundering surfaced.
Lionel Messi, his partner Antonella Rocuzzo, and their children arrived in Argentina dressed in black following the news of Jorge's passing. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) expressed their condolences to the Messi family, stating, "On behalf of Spanish football, we wish to convey all our love and affection to Lionel and his loved ones during this time of deep sorrow."
