Lionel Messi has traveled to Rosario, Argentina, to mourn the passing of his father, Jorge. The 39-year-old Inter Miami captain missed a Leagues Cup match against Monterrey to attend a private memorial service.
Jorge Messi's passing at age 68 in Rosario
Jorge Messi passed away at approximately 10 p.m. local time on Friday, August 7, in a hospital located in Rosario. According to reports in South America, the death occurred close to the family's home, ending a period of declining health. The family had previously disclosed two months prior that Jorge Messi had been rushed to the hospital to deal with an ongoing "health situation," though specific medical details were not released to the public.
Beyond his role as a father, Jorge Messi served as the primary agent and bussiness manager for Lionel Messi . This dual role meant that Jorge was not only a parental figure but the chief strategist behind one of the most lucrative and successful careers in the history of professional sports. His passing represents a significant personal and professional void for the Inter Miami forward.
Rodrigo De Paul's 'Messi 10' tribute during the Monterrey clash
The emotional weight of the loss was evident during Inter Miami's recent Leagues Cup fixture against Monterrey. In the absence of their captain, the Inter Miami squad paid homage to Jorge Messi by wearing black armbands, and the stadium observed a moment of silence before the game began. The club further signaled its support through a social media tribute , stating that their hearts were with Leo and the entire Messi family .
The tribute reached a peak when Rodrigo De Paul, a teammate of Lionel Messi on the Argentina national team and a stand-in captain for Inter Miami, scored the opening goal of the match. As reported by the source, De Paul celebrated by removing his jersey to reveal an undershirt emblazoned with "Messi 10," a public gesture of solidarity and respect for the grieving captain.
From Newell's Old Boys to the FC Barcelona boardroom
The global football community has reacted with widespread grief, reflecting the reach of the Messi family's influence. Club Atletico Newell's Old Boys, the first team where Lionel Messi played, issued a statement in Spanish expressing deep sorrow over the loss of Jorge Messi. This connection to Rosario remains a central pillar of the Messi family identity,anchoring the global superstar to his roots in Argentina.
The tributes extended to Europe, where FC Barcelona's President and Board of Directors expressed their condolences. A spokesperson for FC Barcelona specifically thanked Jorge Messi for his commitment to the club and for entrusting the organization with the "most glorious years" of his son's career. This highlights the critical role Jorge played in the early negotiations and the long-term stability of Lionel Messi's tenure in Spain, a period that defined the modern era of the sport.
The specifics of Jorge Messi's two-month health struggle
Despite the outpouring of support, several details regarding the circumstances of Jorge Messi's death remain unverified. While the report says he had been hospitalized for two months, the exact nature of the "health situation" has not been disclosed by the family or medical professionals in Rosario. it remains unclear if the illness was sudden or a chronic condition that had been managed privately.
Furthermore, while the Argentina national team and various clubs have issued statements, there has been no official word on when Lionel Messi might return to Inter Miami's active roster. The timeline for his return to the United States remains an open question as the family focuses on the private memorial services in Argentina.
Comments 0