A silver-haired man in a blue t-shirt smiles while holding a gold FIFA World Cup Best Player trophy, with an Argentina Messi No. 10 jersey visible behind him.
Jean Catuffe / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
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Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s Father and Lifelong Manager, Has Died at 68 After a Private Health Battle

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The man who managed Lionel Messi’s entire professional career was his own father. Jorge Messi handled the negotiations and the business side from the start, standing beside his son at nearly every milestone, including the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar and this season’s MLS Cup Playoffs run with Inter Miami.

Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini seated in the stands at Chase Stadium before an Inter Miami MLS playoff match
Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini take their seats at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale ahead of Inter Miami’s MLS Eastern Conference final against New York City FC on November 29, 2025. Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP via Getty Images.
Lionel Messi hugging his parents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini on the field after an MLS Cup Playoff match at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale
After Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup Playoff win over Nashville SC at Chase Stadium, Lionel Messi embraces his parents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini on November 8, 2025. Photo by Leonardo Fernandez / Getty Images.
Jorge Messi holding his son Lionel Messi's Best Player of the World Cup trophy at Lusail Stadium in Qatar
Jorge Messi holds Lionel’s Best Player trophy at Lusail Stadium after Argentina’s World Cup Final victory over France on December 18, 2022. Photo by Jean Catuffe / Getty Images.

E! News reported his death at 68 following what the family described as a private health battle.

His last public appearances came just months ago, watching Lionel from the stands in Miami.

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About the author

Nadia Santiago

Nadia Santiago is a writer who lives between the clouds and the coastline, and writes about all the things your heart knows but your mouth can never quite say.