Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of soccer legend Lionel Messi, died at the age of 68, multiple outlets reported Sunday. The elder Messi had played a central role in his son's career from the earliest days, helping guide Lionel from Rosario, Argentina, to FC Barcelona and eventually to the top of the sport.
Inter Miami and Major League Soccer both issued statements mourning his passing, according to NBC News. Jorge had remained closely involved in his son's professional life even after Lionel joined Inter Miami, where the Argentine star has continued to play in his later career years.
Jorge Messi was widely recognized not only as Lionel's father but as the person who managed his affairs through much of his rise to global fame. He accompanied his son to Barcelona as a teenager when the club agreed to pay for Lionel's growth hormone treatment in exchange for him joining the academy. That decision set in motion one of the most decorated careers in the history of the sport.
Lionel Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards and led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, a moment Jorge witnessed. He was 68 at the time of his death. Further details about the cause of death were not immediately reported.
