Jorge Horacio Messi, father and representative of Lionel Messi, died at the age of 68 after going through a prolonged illness. He was admitted to a clinic in Rosario, Argentina, where he died this Saturday, August 8, at 2 in the morning. The news was confirmed by the Sanatorium Center in a statement, which does not reveal the causes of the outcome.
Newell's Old Boys, the Rosario club where his son's football history began, also made this information official in some way, sharing his condolences with the video of a flag at half-mast.
What is really known about Jorge Messi's illness
The question about what illness Jorge Messi had, however, does not have a public and verifiable answer so far. Although different media reported that he had been in a delicate condition for some time, an official diagnosis or medical report identifying the disease was never released.
The family itself kept this information within the private sphere since the health problems became publicly known in June, while Lionel Messi was competing with Argentina in the 2026 World Cup.
On June 18, faced with a growing number of rumors about his father, the Messi family made an unusual decision: they released a statement to clarify the situation. In that message he only confirmed that Jorge was going through “a health situation”, that he remained under medical follow-up and that at that time he was recovering and progressing favorably. He did not identify the disease or provide clinical details.
The reservation was not accidental. In that statement, the family stressed that only the closest family circle had precise information about his condition and asked that versions that did not come from them or their official channels not be taken as true. He also demanded responsibility and respect because it was a private situation.
During the following weeks, versions circulated about the possible origin of his health problem. However, none of these hypotheses were confirmed by the family or supported by a public medical report.
In June he had been discharged and returned to Rosario
His health had caused particular concern during the World Cup. After spending several days hospitalized in a medical center, on June 23 it was learned that Jorge Messi had been discharged and returned to Rosario to continue his recovery there.
The information was then disseminated by journalist Ángel de Brito, close to the family, and collected by different Argentine media. The news had brought relief after several especially difficult days for the Messis, but it was known that there was a tough battle ahead.
The false news of his death that circulated during the World Cup
The family's decision to keep the diagnosis confidential must also be understood based on what happened in June. In the middle of the 2026 World Cup, false information circulated in Argentina stating that he had died. The version was spread in the media and streaming programs and forced the family to intervene publicly to deny it.
It was precisely then that the footballer's entourage asked for caution and established that information about Jorge's health that did not come directly from the family should not be considered valid.
