The father of Lionel Messi, Jorge, has died at the age of 68, the Argentine Football Association has confirmed.The Messi family had released a statement on June 18, during the World Cup, saying that Jorge was “experiencing health issues” and “under close medical attention.” Lionel had appeared visibly emotional after scoring the first goal in his hat-trick for Argentina during their 3-0 win over Algeria two days before that statement was released, and said after the match that his reaction was due to him having “some difficult, complicated days.”Jorge Messi played a significant role in his son’s career, having served as his agent and business manager. Despite advisors and counsellors departing Messi’s team over the years, often after fallings out, the father-son duo remain linked and “appear to act and think as one.”“The Argentine Football Association, led by its President Claudio Tapia, mourns with sadness and deep sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and icon, Lionel Messi,” the AFA said Saturday. It added there will be a minute’s silence held at all matches in Argentina over the weekend.
“We would like to offer our support to the whole family at this difficult time and send them our most heartfelt, warm and affectionate thoughts. Stay strong!”Messi’s former club Barcelona and their rivals Real Madrid were among those to pay tribute to Jorge on Saturday.Jorge served as Lionel’s agent and business manager. (Leonardo Fernandez / Getty Images)Lionel, 39, and his club side Inter Miami are due to face Mexican side Monterrey in the Leagues Cup later on Saturday. Lionel scored his first goals since suffering defeat in the World Cup final against Spain on July 19 in his second match back for Miami earlier this week, netting twice in the team’s 4-2 Leagues Cup win over Atletico de San Luis.Jorge was a supervisor at a metal factory in Rosario before his son’s career took off. He helped coach at the local Grandoli soccer club, where Lionel played his first games as a child before moving on to Rosario’s biggest club, Newell’s Old Boys.
