Jorge Messi, The father and longtime agent of football superstar Lionel Messi, has reportedly died at the age age of 68.
Argentine media reports say he died on Friday in Rosario, Argentina, after battling a prolonged illness.
The health condition had previously been confirmed by the Messi family, who said he was receiving medical treatment.
Jorge Messi will be remembered as one of the most influential people in the sporting world in the first quarter of the 21st century, having managed his history-making son throughout a storied career that has gone from Rosario, to Barcelona, Paris and Miami.
Messi began his soccer journey with Newell’s Old Boys in his home city Rosario, Argentina and the club shared touching tribute to Jorge on social media, bidding “farewell with deep sorrow and grief”.
The club’s message read: “Jorge was the pillar and the person who supports with vision, rigor and affection the career of the great player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.
Jorge Messi was his son’s first coach in Argentina and his sole companion when he first move to Barcelona as a child before later becoming his agent.
“My father helped the enormously. He is very critical of me. That made me always want to push myself further”, Lionel Messi told DirecTV Sports in 2022 .
Messi’s family asked the media for “humanity” during the recent World Cup amid persistent rumours over Jorge’s health.
During the recent World Cup, the captain of Argentinian national team experienced mixed emotions after scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria, breaking down in tears while celebrating his first goal.
Later, at a news conference, Lionel explained that his tears were due to “something unrelated to football” after going through a few difficult complicated situation.
Later, at news conference, Lionel revealed that his tears were due to “something unrelated to football” after going through “a few difficult complicated days”.
Days later, the family issued a statement regarding Jorge’s “health situation” informing the public that he was undergoing medical treatment.
-9News Nigeria.
