Football superstar Lionel Messi returned to Rosario, Argentina with his family on Saturday after the passing of his father and longtime representative, Jorge Messi.
Jorge Messi was a foundational figure in the football icon’s life and career. He died at the age of 68 in Rosario after a prolonged illness.
Beyond serving as his agent and guiding his business affairs off the pitch, Jorge was instrumental in orchestrating Lionel’s pivotal move to FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy as a teenager and managing the medical treatments required during his youth.
Boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys, FC Barcelona, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and CONMEBOL released heartfelt statements offering condolences and support to the Messi family.
Players from across international and club football shared messages of solidarity with the Inter Miami captain.
Ahead of kickoff at Miami’s Nu Stadium, a minute of silence was observed, with Jorge Messi’s name shown on screens inside the stadium. Miami players were also seen wearing black armbands.
In the 10th minute of the game, the same number Messi wears on his jersey, fans chanted and unveiled flags in support of the Miami captain, including one that read “Fuerza [stay strong] Leo”.
“Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family,” Miami wrote earlier in the day in paying its condolences to its absent star.
Messi featured in Inter Miami’s first Leagues Cup match of the 2026 tournament, recording two goals and an assist in the 4-2 victory over Atletico de San Luis on Wednesday.
The Inter Miami captain recently led Argentina to the World Cup final while navigating his father’s illness.
He was seen crying after scoring the first of his three goals in Argentina’s World Cup match against Algeria before later explaining he wept for “a reason unrelated to sports”.
Jorge helped guide his son’s career from childhood. His cause of death hasn’t been disclosed, though he had suffered a prolonged illness.
In the early 2000s, he travelled with a young Messi to Barcelona for the tryout, which opened doors to the football legend.
Lionel Messi made his professional debut in 2005 and went on to win eight Ballon d’Or awards. He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title.
