Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Lionel Messi, died Saturday at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina. He was 68.
Sanatorio Centro, the medical center where he was being treated, confirmed the death in the early hours of the morning through its medical director, Dr. Carlos Mackey, CNN reported. The hospital said no further details would be released out of respect for the family's privacy. Newell's Old Boys, the Rosario club where Lionel Messi played as a youth, said he had been treated in recent months for an unspecified illness.
Jorge Messi trained as a chemical technician and worked as a steelworker. He played as a midfielder and reached the youth ranks of Newell's Old Boys before leaving the sport for compulsory military service, ESPN reported.
He accompanied his son to Barcelona in the early 2000s for the trial that led to a place at La Masia, the club's academy. He went on to serve as his agent and manage his business affairs through the years at Barcelona, the departure from the club, the moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, and Argentina's 2022 World Cup title.
Newell's Old Boys described him in a statement as the support and the person who underpinned his son's career with vision, rigor and affection, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini. FC Barcelona and UNICEF, for which Lionel Messi is a goodwill ambassador, also issued condolences.
He was unable to travel to North America for this year's World Cup, where Argentina finished as runner-up. Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after scoring against Algeria in the opening match and said afterward that his tears had nothing to do with football. He spent time with his family in Rosario after the tournament before returning to Inter Miami.
Jorge Messi is survived by his wife and four children: Rodrigo, Matías, Lionel and María Sol.