World football superstar Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, passed away on Friday night (August 7) at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68.
According to Reuters, Messi’s family confirmed the news of his father’s passing. In the last few months of his life, Jorge Messi had been shuttling between a medical center in Rosario and his home, accompanied by his wife and children.
After the end of the World Cup, Messi had spent some time with his father before returning to play for Inter Miami CF.
Throughout Messi’s entire football career, his father had provided him with immense support. From Messi’s early days at FC Barcelona in La Liga, Jorge Messi had always been by his son’s side, serving as both a pillar of support and his manager for many years.
“I have always needed my father’s approval from a young age. After every game, I would ask him how he thought I performed,” Messi had previously stated.
During the World Cup, Argentina’s national team captain Messi scored a hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria. He couldn’t hold back tears while celebrating his first goal, later explaining that his tears were due to “unrelated issues” and the “difficult and agonizing days” he was going through at that time.
“I am grateful to my teammates and staff for their support during this period,” he said at a press conference. A few days later, Messi’s family issued a statement providing more information, disclosing Jorge Messi’s health issues and informing the public that he was undergoing treatment.
Newell’s Old Boys, the club where Messi initially started his career, was one of the first clubs to publicly mourn the death of Jorge Messi.
In a statement, the club expressed deep sorrow and sadness over the passing of Jorge Messi, highlighting his unwavering support and leadership behind the scenes, which were crucial in accompanying Lionel Messi throughout his professional journey.