conv.

All stories
SportsRunning 1d

Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi's father and agent, dies at 68

The Inter Miami forward's father and longtime representative passed away after a long illness in Rosario, Argentina.

42 items7 engagement0 comments PressMastodonGoogle NewsReddit
Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi's father and agent, dies at 68
bbc.co.uk

Conversation activity · last 2 days peak 8/hr

Peak 8 items in one hour at Aug 8, 5 PM; 42 items over 2 days Aug 8, 6 AM — 1 itemAug 8, 7 AM — 1 itemAug 8, 8 AM — no itemsAug 8, 9 AM — no itemsAug 8, 10 AM — 7 itemsAug 8, 11 AM — 3 itemsAug 8, 12 PM — 3 itemsAug 8, 1 PM — no itemsAug 8, 2 PM — no itemsAug 8, 3 PM — 5 itemsAug 8, 4 PM — no itemsAug 8, 5 PM — 8 itemsAug 8, 6 PM — no itemsAug 8, 7 PM — 4 itemsAug 8, 8 PM — no itemsAug 8, 9 PM — no itemsAug 8, 10 PM — no itemsAug 8, 11 PM — no itemsAug 9, 12 AM — 1 itemAug 9, 1 AM — no itemsAug 9, 2 AM — no itemsAug 9, 3 AM — 3 itemsAug 9, 4 AM — no itemsAug 9, 5 AM — no itemsAug 9, 6 AM — no itemsAug 9, 7 AM — no itemsAug 9, 8 AM — no itemsAug 9, 9 AM — 1 itemAug 9, 10 AM — 1 itemAug 9, 11 AM — 1 itemAug 9, 12 PM — 1 itemAug 9, 1 PM — no itemsAug 9, 2 PM — no itemsAug 9, 3 PM — 1 itemAug 9, 4 PM — no itemsAug 9, 5 PM — no itemsAug 9, 6 PM — no itemsAug 9, 7 PM — 1 itemAug 9, 8 PM — no itemsAug 9, 9 PM — no itemsAug 9, 10 PM — no itemsAug 9, 11 PM — no itemsAug 10, 12 AM — no itemsAug 10, 1 AM — no itemsAug 10, 2 AM — no itemsAug 10, 3 AM — no itemsAug 10, 4 AM — no itemsAug 10, 5 AM — no itemsAug 10, 6 AM — no itemsAug 10, 7 AM — no itemsAug 10, 8 AM — no itemsAug 10, 9 AM — no items 8 items · 5 PM
Aug 9Aug 10

Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 42 items across 4 sources · 19h ago. Quotes are verbatim.

Jorge Messi, father and agent of football legend Lionel Messi, died aged 68 on August 8, 2026, following a long illness at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina. Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Monterrey on Saturday in the wake of his father's death, with the club observing a minute of silence and players wearing black armbands to honor Jorge. Jorge had been central to Lionel's football career since relocating with him to Barcelona in 2001 when Lionel was signed aged 13.

  • Jorge Messi, 68, father and longtime agent of football legend Lionel Messi, died on August 8, 2026, after a long illness in Rosario, Argentina.
  • Jorge was instrumental in Lionel's career from childhood at Newell's Old Boys through his move to Barcelona aged 13 in 2001, staying with his son while the rest of the family returned to Argentina.
  • Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami's Leagues Cup defeat to Monterrey on August 9, with the club honoring Jorge through a minute of silence, black armbands, and teammate Rodrigo de Paul's tribute goal.
  • Major football organizations including Barcelona, Newell's Old Boys, and the Argentine Football Association released statements recognizing Jorge's critical role in supporting Lionel's rise to becoming the greatest player of his generation.

How it unfolded

  1. Report Full tribute details emerge

    Accounts of the match confirm Inter Miami's memorials: a minute of silence, black armbands, Jorge's name on stadium screens, a black ribbon added to the club's social media profiles, and Rodrigo de Paul's tribute goal.

  2. Event Messi misses match; Miami loses

    Lionel Messi misses Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Monterrey on Saturday night. Inter Miami is defeated 2-1, with a minute of silence held before the game and players wearing black armbands.

  3. Reaction Teammate pays tribute on pitch

    Argentina teammate Rodrigo de Paul celebrates his goal by lifting his shirt to reveal Lionel Messi's number underneath, dedicating the goal to honor his absent teammate following his father's death.

    “Our hearts are with our captain Leo and the entire Messi family.”

    Inter Miami (club statement) · Mastodon ↗
  4. Report Media coverage spreads globally

    News of Jorge Messi's death is reported by major international outlets including NBC News, ESPN, CNN, Reuters, and others, confirming details of his age and illness.

  5. Reaction Football world mourns

    Newell's Old Boys, Barcelona, and the Argentine Football Association release statements honoring Jorge Messi's role in supporting Lionel's career. Newell's Old Boys calls Jorge 'the pillar' who provided 'vision, rigor and affection' to Lionel's development.

    “Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.”

    Newell's Old Boys · Mastodon ↗
  6. Event Jorge Messi dies in Rosario

    Jorge Messi, 68, dies at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina after a long illness. He had been spending his final months alternating between a medical centre and his home with his wife Celia and children Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol.

What people are saying verbatim

“Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.”

Newell's Old Boys, Football club · BBC Sport ↗

“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory.”

Newell's Old Boys, Football club · BBC Sport ↗

“From here, we stand in solidarity with the entire family during this difficult time and send the most heartfelt, warm and affectionate embrace.”

Argentine Football Association, National football body · BBC Sport ↗

“Our hearts are with our captain Leo and the entire Messi family.”

Inter Miami, Football club · sportbursts.com ↗

“The family expressed their 'deep discomfort with the lack of sensitivity, respect and discretion with which some people have treated what is strictly a private family matter'.”

Messi family, Family statement · BBC Sport ↗