Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of soccer icon Lionel Messi, died Friday night at a clinic in Rosario, Argentina, following a battle with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer, sources close to the family confirmed to Las Top News. He was 68.
According to information obtained by Las Top News from people within the family’s inner circle, Jorge Messi passed away on Friday, August 9, at approximately 2:00 AM local time in Rosario, the Argentine city where both he and his son were born.
At the time of his father’s death, Lionel Messi was training with Inter Miami CF ahead of today’s match against Monterrey. Shortly after receiving the devastating news, the Argentine captain reportedly departed for Argentina aboard his private jet accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, their three sons—Thiago, Mateo and Ciro—and his sister, María Sol, who was also in Miami.
Jorge Messi had reportedly been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April of this year. Rather than undergoing treatment in the United States, where he had spent much of his time supporting his son during his Inter Miami career, he chose to remain in Rosario, surrounded by family and under the care of his longtime physicians. Those close to the family say the decision reflected his desire to face the illness in his hometown, where his roots and closest loved ones remained.
His death comes just months after Argentine television personality and actress Florencia Peña mistakenly announced on the streaming platform Luzu TV that Jorge Messi had died. The report quickly proved to be false, sparking widespread criticism over the premature announcement and reigniting concerns about the speed with which unverified information spreads across digital media.
At the time, Las Top News chose not to publish the story without independent confirmation. As we have always told our readers, our priority is not being first—it is being accurate.
In this case, although neither Leo Messi nor his family had issued a public statement at the time this article was published, Las Top News independently confirmed Jorge Messi’s passing through sources within the family’s closest circle.
Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol.
For decades, Jorge was far more than Lionel Messi’s father. He was the architect behind much of the football legend’s career away from the pitch. Serving as his manager, adviser and fiercest advocate, he oversaw every major decision that shaped Messi’s professional journey while protecting his son’s interests as his global profile continued to grow.
He was also the man who relentlessly pursued the medical treatment that changed Lionel’s life. When Messi was still a young boy playing for Newell’s Old Boys, Jorge fought to secure treatment for his son’s growth hormone deficiency, a battle that ultimately led the family to Spain after FC Barcelona agreed to support his medical care.
While Jorge and Lionel embarked on the life-changing move to Barcelona to pursue what would become one of the greatest careers in football history, Celia remained in Rosario for a time to keep the rest of the family together before they were eventually reunited.
Throughout Lionel Messi’s extraordinary rise—from a promising teenager in La Masia to a World Cup champion and one of the greatest athletes of all time—Jorge remained a constant presence behind the scenes, guiding his son’s career while deliberately avoiding the spotlight.
Today, the football world mourns the loss of the man who stood beside Lionel Messi from the very beginning—not only as his father, but as his mentor, protector, and the steady hand behind one of the most remarkable stories in sports history.
Rest in peace, Jorge Messi.
