Lionel Messi’s founder and life long-support person, Jorge Messi, has passed away at the age of 68, after a long illness, in the Argentine city of Rosario.
According to Messi family, Jorge passed away on Friday night, August 7, at a medical clinic in Rosario. The last four months of his life had been spent in hospital, surrounded by his wife, Celia, and children.
However, Jorge wasn’t just Lionel Messi’s dad – he was the one that played the most significant role in his son’s famous football career. He acted as Messi’s representative and was among his closest advisors as he grew from the youth football club at Rosario to becoming a world superstar.
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As a teenager, Messi went to Spain to join Barcelona’s fabled youth academy known as La Masia and de la Cruz was an important player in his management there, in particular.
The man who was once the piece of Lionel Messi’s family in the back of that international order is gone just after the Argentine spent time with his father after the 2026 World Cup at North America. Messi is expected to be back in Rosario for a private wake while Jorge’s remains will be interred in the private cemetery of El Prado in Perez, close to Rosario.
Memories started rolling down by the likes of football legend Pelé, American citizen David Beckham, and former Spain defender Maradona. The Barcelona Football Club, Real Madrid, Newell’s Old Boys, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and other institutions in the football world noted their condolences for the loss of Messi to the family.
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Football games in Argentina’s divisions will have a minute’s silence and black armbands in honour of Jorge Messi, AFA announced. Barcelona also put on record his significant contribution in supporting and developing the career of Lionel.
Jorge’s passing is not just a footballing tragedy, but also a personal one for Messi as his father was much more than just his coach; he served as a mentor and friend. Over the years, the two have stayed together as Lionel became one of the most-awarded stars in football history.
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When Jorge Messi was still nurturing the talent of his son, it was his influence that played a major part. Being a representative meant he had to be in the middle of huge career decisions, negotiations and the shift that catapulted Lionel Messi into one of the greatest football icons of all time.
The football world is now lost a figure who although has never seen the light of the day, has played the pivotal role behind the scenes of one of the greatest footballers in history.
