Jorge Messi, father and long-time representative of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68.

MARCA reported the death on Saturday, citing Argentine news outlet Infobae.

Jorge died at about 10 p.m. on Friday at a sanatorium in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness.

Jorge, who was married to Celia Cuccittini, had four children — Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.

He played a pivotal role in Lionel Messi’s development from a young player at Newell’s Old Boys into one of the most celebrated footballers in history.

Jorge was particularly instrumental in securing medical treatment for Lionel when the youngster required growth hormone therapy.

After efforts to obtain the treatment in Argentina proved unsuccessful, he helped facilitate his son’s move to Barcelona at the age of 13.

He subsequently stayed with Lionel in Spain during the early and challenging stages of the teenager’s European career, while the rest of the family remained in Rosario.

Recalling that period in a 2007 interview, Messi said his father had asked him whether he wanted to continue pursuing his football dream in Spain or return home.

“My old man was always by my side. We lived through many bad moments,” Messi recalled.

He added: “My old man asked me, what do you want to do, do you want to continue or shall we go back? I wanted to continue and he stayed with me.”

That decision proved significant as Messi went on to establish himself at Barcelona and become one of the most decorated players in football history.

Beyond his role as a father, Jorge became a central figure in managing Lionel’s affairs away from the pitch, including negotiations with some of the world’s biggest brands.

In an emotional message to his son during the early years of Lionel’s emergence as a global football star, Jorge reflected on the challenges they had overcome together.

“You know very well that we have gone through many good and not-so-good moments,” he said, stressing that the experiences had strengthened the family.

He also told his son that, beyond his accomplishments as a footballer, he considered Lionel “an excellent person.”

Jorge’s health had drawn public attention during the 2026 World Cup after Messi became emotional following Argentina’s opening match.

After scoring a hat-trick, Messi was asked about his reaction and explained: “It is for a reason completely unrelated to sport. I had some difficult, complicated days.”

Asked subsequently about the family situation, Messi said: “The truth is, more than anything, because of the family.”

The Messi family later said Jorge was “under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favourably within the condition he presents.”

Jorge was trained as a chemical technician and began working at Acindar, an Argentine steel company, in the 1980s. He eventually rose to become a manager.

He also had a football background, having played as a midfielder in Newell’s youth system before leaving the sport after being called up for military service.

Although Jorge largely remained away from the spotlight, his influence on Lionel Messi’s career was profound. From helping secure vital medical treatment during his son’s childhood to supporting his move to Spain and later managing his professional affairs, he remained a constant figure throughout the footballer’s remarkable journey.

His death marks the loss of one of the most important figures behind the rise of one of football’s greatest-ever players.