Jorge Messi’s death: How Lionel’s legacy shaped football’s most famous family

Jorge Messi’s death at 68 marks the end of a life that shaped not only Lionel Messi’s career but the very identity of football’s most famous family. The businessman and father, who stood beside his son from the dusty pitches of Rosario to the World Cup final in Qatar, passed away on Friday in his hometown after a prolonged illness. Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Messi’s journey began, confirmed the news with a statement that described Jorge as “the pillar” who supported every step of his son’s rise.

The architect behind the legend

Jorge Messi was more than a father; he was the first and most enduring advocate for Lionel’s talent. From Malvinas in Rosario to Barcelona’s Camp Nou, Jorge’s guidance was the constant that allowed Messi to navigate childhood growth hormone deficiency, transfer battles, and the pressures of global fame. The Newell’s statement made clear his role: “Recognised leproso fan, businessman, and father of the Argentine national team captain,” whose “constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential” in building a career that redefined the sport.

That influence extended beyond tactics and contracts. During the 2022 World Cup, when speculation about Jorge’s health swirled after Messi’s emotional reaction to Algeria’s 3-0 win, Lionel addressed reporters directly. “Why was I crying? It had absolutely nothing to do with football. I have had a few difficult days,” he said. The family later clarified his condition was private, but the moment underscored how deeply personal and professional life intertwined for the Messis. Argentina’s path to the final, including victories over Switzerland and the Netherlands, unfolded against the backdrop of Jorge’s illness, adding a layer of poignancy to each step.

A family legacy built on resilience

The Messi name now carries the weight of a dynasty shaped by Jorge’s vision. His wife, Celia Cuccittini, stood alongside him as the couple steered Lionel’s career with “rigor and affection,” according to Newell’s. That partnership extended to Rodrigo and Matías, Lionel’s brothers, who have carved their own niches in football’s infrastructure, while María Sol, his sister, represents the family’s broader presence in the game. Jorge’s death leaves Celia at the centre of a network that has guided Lionel from a skinny 13-year-old rejected by Barcelona’s youth system to a player who redefined what’s possible in football.

The family’s resilience was tested publicly during the World Cup, when Messi’s tears in the group stage sparked unfounded reports of Jorge’s death. The misinformation highlighted how closely the family’s private struggles were scrutinised, prompting a rare statement: “The family wishes to express its deep concern about the lack of sensitivity, respect and discretion with which some people have treated a strictly private family matter.” That plea underscored the fragility of their public persona and the enduring need to protect what Jorge built.

The quiet force in Messi’s greatest moments

Jorge’s absence will be felt most acutely in the spaces where he was always present: the pre-match huddles, the contract negotiations, the quiet conversations that shaped Lionel’s decisions. Whether it was securing his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 or navigating the complexities of Inter Miami’s rise in MLS, Jorge’s imprint was felt in the margins. Newell’s Old Boys’ tribute captured this: “Thank you for teaching him to love these colours,” a nod to the Newell’s jersey that started it all.

That emotional connection to Rosario, Messi’s birthplace, remained a touchstone throughout his career. Even as he lifted the World Cup in Qatar, the weight of his father’s support was palpable. The tournament, where Messi scored twice in the group stage and led Argentina through knockout battles, became a stage for a family story that began decades earlier on the pitches of his childhood club.

Jorge Messi’s death closes a chapter that defined modern football’s most scrutinised family. His legacy is written not just in trophies and records, but in the resilience of a clan that turned adversity into ambition. As Newell’s Old Boys and the football world mourn, the message is clear: the Messi story was never just Lionel’s. It was a family’s triumph, built on the foundation Jorge laid brick by brick.