Leo Messi Loses His Father, Argentine Media Reports

Jorge Messi, father of Lionel Andrés Messi, passed away last night at 10:00 PM in a hospital in Rosario, Infobae reported. He was 68 years old and had been suffering from a prolonged illness.

Husband to Celia Cuccittini and father to Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, Jorge was a pillar in his son's stellar football career. He was the family leader who became his guide and took responsibility for all his off-field obligations. It was he who fought to secure the necessary treatment for Leo when he was just a teenager at Newell's, and he stayed with him in Barcelona when they embarked on their European adventure, while his mother organized the rest of the family in Rosario.

His presence was ubiquitous around the footballing genius. He always quietly had his back. His voice was rarely heard. Over the years, he gave only a few interviews (for example, to "El Gráfico," the German magazine "Kicker," or the Spanish "Informe Robinson") and contributed testimonials for some books chronicling his son's life. But he preferred to remain in the shadows. His Instagram profile featured sporadic posts highlighting Lionel's achievements, but also celebrating with each of his children, grandchildren, or nephews and nieces.

It was common to see him attending World Cups with the family, which is why the absence of photos of the Messi family in the USA during the World Cup was notable, despite Antonela's presence with their children Ciro, Mateo, and Thiago.

The 39-year-old Rosario-born footballer couldn't hide his tears after opening the scoring in the first match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. After scoring a hat-trick, Leo Messi was asked about his reaction and clarified: "The reason is completely outside of sports; I've had a few difficult, complicated days. I am grateful to the entire delegation, as always, for being by my side."

Jorge Messi studied chemical technology and began working at the Acindar factory in the 1980s, rising to a managerial position, according to Guillem Balague's biography, "Messi." Before that, he had his own football dreams, playing as a good midfielder in Newell's youth teams until he had to complete his military service and put sports aside.

He was the father who always stood on the sidelines of the pitches at Malvinas, Newell's youth academy. When Lionel was already a sensation in the club's youth teams, he took on the task of trying to secure coverage for his hormonal treatment in Argentina. He didn't find a positive response at his beloved club, which prompted Leo to try his luck at River. Negotiations for a move to Núñez fell through, and Jorge brokered an agreement that was rare at the time when they decided to try their luck in Barcelona. He managed to get a European club to sign a 13-year-old foreign player, but also to provide him with the much-needed medical treatment, an annual salary, housing and work for his family, and even image rights payments, according to Balague's book.

When Messi's start at Barcelona became increasingly difficult and his family struggled to adapt to European life, it was Jorge who gave Leo the right to stay in the apartment on Gran Via de Carles III and continue pursuing his dream in Spain. Young Lionel had asked him to stay, and his father remained to accompany him. This was a foundational moment for the sporting success of the man who would become a legend of the sport.

"My father was always by my side. We went through many bad things. Sometimes I would lock myself in my room to cry alone, or he would do the same without me seeing him. We pretended we were both fine, but we were not. My father asked me what I wanted to do, if I wanted to continue, or go back? I wanted to continue, and he stayed with me," Lionel himself recalled those days in a 2007 interview for the show "Fútbol y algo más" on Radio Del Plata.

In the same broadcast, Jorge appeared on camera to deliver a message to his son, who was then just beginning to become a global star: "You know very well that we have experienced many good and not-so-good moments."

"From those not-so-good moments, you know that we always emerge stronger, and we want this to continue because it helps us to be more resilient in life, and it helps you to be who you are. Because I believe that before being a good footballer, you are an excellent person."

The father, advisor, and family leader was also a partner in the involuntary venture that Lionel became. The "Messi" brand placed Jorge at the forefront of negotiations with the biggest companies on the planet.