BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Aug 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Jorge Messi, the father and 
agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's 
childhood club Newell's Old Boys announced on Saturday.

Argentinian media reported Jorge Messi had passed away on Friday in a 
hospital in Rosario.

"His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential 
in backing every step of Lionel," Newell's Old Boys said in a social media 
post.

Jorge Messi was his son's first coach in Argentina and his sole companion 
when he first moved to Barcelona as a child, before later becoming his agent.

"My father helped me enormously. He is very critical of me. That made me 
always want to push myself further," Lionel Messi told DirecTV Sports in 
2022.

Messi's family asked the media for "humanity" during the recent World Cup 
amid persistent rumours over Jorge's health.