"Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time."
Lionel Messi's dad, Jorge Messi, has died, the soccer star's former clubs confirmed Saturday, August 8.
He was 68 years old.
"The President and the Board of Directors of FC Barcelona express their deepest condolences on the passing of Jorge Messi, father of former Barça player and legend Lionel Messi, and, on behalf of the entire Barça family, extend their condolences to the Messi family," a statement from FC Barcelona read. "FC Barcelona thanks Jorge Messi for his commitment to our Club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career.
"May he rest in peace."
In addition to being the player's father, Jorge Messi served as Lionel's agent. When his 13-year-old son needed treatment for Growth Hormone Deficiency, which clubs in Argentina declined to pay, Jorge was seeking an assurance that Lionel would have a club to play for and the treatments would be covered. After a game of tennis, two agents Jorge Messi was working with scrawled a deal on a napkin that FC Barcelona sporting director Carles Rexach signed. The rest was history, with Jorge's son winning 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns with the Catalan club.
Jorge Messi had been dealing with a health-related issue, with the Argentina star slamming inaccurate reports during the FIFA World Cup about his father's health and asking for his family's privacy to be respected.
"The Messi family informs that Jorge is going through a health-related situation," the Messi family statement began on June 18. "At this time, he is under medical care, recovering and evolving favorably giving the condition he is experiencing."
In Argentina's first World Cup game against Algeria, Messi had tears coming to his eyes after scoring the first of three goals during the match.
Newell's Old Boys, one of Argentina's top club teams and where Lionel Messi spent part of his youth career (1995-2000), released a statement Saturday morning on X.
"Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.
"His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory.
"Thank you for teaching him to love these colors."
A club that played an even earlier role in Messi's development also expressed condolences.
"Jorge was part of our history and also a coach at our club," wrote Abanderado Grandoli, the neighborhood club in Rosario where Jorge coached Lionel when the player was just four years old. "Here he was alongside the first steps of that little Lionel who, with time, made history in global football."
Messi has yet to confirm whether he will retire from professional soccer anytime soon. Argentina Football Association president Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia said on Friday, Aug. 7 the 39-year-old's international future is entirely up to him.
Messi scored eight goals in eight matches at the World Cup, finishing runner-up to Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.
He already has returned to Inter Miami from the post-World Cup break, scoring twice in the club's Leagues Cup win over Atlético San Luis. Miami meets Monterrey in Leagues Cup play on Saturday night but may miss the game as he grieves. Inter Miami was yet to put an official statement as of 12:30 p.m. ET.
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Source: USA Today
