Lionel Messi’s father dies at age 68 in Argentina, after facing health problems
The news of the death of Jorge Messi, father of renowned player Lionel Messi, was confirmed on August 8, 2026. He was 68 years old and had been dealing with health challenges for a considerable period, according to information released by the Argentine press.
In June of the same year, Lionel Messi appeared quite shaken after scoring a goal for Argentina in a match against Algeria, during the World Cup. Asked about his reaction, the star explained that his crying had no connection with football, but rather with “difficult days” he was facing.
These statements immediately caused great public speculation. Many news outlets indicated that the reason for the athlete’s sadness was linked to his father’s health condition, although there was conflicting information about the details of what happened.
Faced with the wave of rumors, the Messi family released an official statement at the time. The text stated that “The Messi family wishes to inform you that Jorge Messi is facing health problems. He is under medical supervision and recovering well.”
The family’s statement continued, expressing concern about the media coverage: “In light of the news, rumors and speculation that have been circulating in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep concern about the lack of sensitivity, respect and discretion with which some people have handled a strictly private family matter.”
The official message continued with a thank you and a request for privacy. “We sincerely appreciate the expressions of affection, respect and concern we received and ask that Jorge’s privacy, confidentiality and personal space — and that of his entire family — be respected throughout this process”, concluded the excerpt of the note.
At the end of July, Lionel Messi was also absent from the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game, which was interpreted as a visit to his father. A few days later, he was back on the field for an MLS match.
