Jorge Messi, the father and agent of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in his hometown of Rosario. Argentine club Newell's Old Boys, where the Argentine captain played as a child, announced his death on social media on Saturday.
According to Argentine media, Messi died on Friday evening in a hospital in Rosario. Newell's Old Boys stated online that the club was bidding farewell to Jorge Messi with sadness and deep pain.
Key Role in Son's Career
Jorge Messi was a fundamental figure throughout his son's football career. He served as Lionel Messi's first coach in Argentina and was his sole companion during his difficult early years in Barcelona, before becoming his representative to negotiate major contracts.
He was also the person with whom the football star evaluated his performance after every match. In a 2022 interview with DirecTV Sports, Lionel Messi said his father helped him enormously and maintained a very critical view of his play, which constantly motivated him to surpass himself.
