Jorge Messi dies at 68: Lionel Messi's father passes away after battling ill health, per reports originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, has died at the age of 68, according to reports in Argentina.Reports emerged early on August 8 that he had passed away in hospital in Rosario, Argentina.Newell's Old Boys, the club where Messi spent some of his youth career, posted a tribute on X in which they described Jorge Messi as "the person who supported with vision, rigor and care the career of the greatest player of all time".A hugely important figure in Messi's record-breaking professional career, it was confirmed during the 2026 World Cup that Jorge had been receiving treatment for ill health.Messi had previously confirmed that "off-field" matters had made it difficult to focus fully on the MLS season with Inter Miami and preparation for the World Cup in June. He was in tears after scoring his opening goal of the tournament against Algeria.MORE:Messi and Haaland feature in SN's all-star lineup for the 2026 World CupJorge Messi dies at 68It was widely reported by the Argentina media that Jorge Messi had died on August 7, 2026, at around 10 p.m. local time in Rosario, Argentina. He was 68.Newell's Old Boys later confirmed the news via a social media post. The family has not yet spoken publicly.El Club Atltico Newell's Old Boys despide con profundo dolor y pesar a Jorge Messi, quien falleci a los 68 aos de edad en la ciudad de Rosario.Reconocido hincha leproso, empresario y padre del capitn del seleccionado argentino, Lionel Andrs Messi.Jorge fue el sostn y la pic.twitter.com/8dFPMRdM9Z Newells Old Boys (@Newells) August 8, 2026Jorge Messi cause of deathThe cause of death of Messi's father was not revealed, but it was known he was battling health problems this year.On Thursday, June 18, the family published a statement issued to media outlets including ESPNthat said:"[Jorge Messi] is currently under medical supervision, recovering, and progressing favorably within his current condition."The family also criticised the proliferation of unverified rumors about the nature of Jorge Messi's condition, saying:"Given the versions, rumors, and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep displeasure at the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter."Jorge Messi life and careerJorge Messi, the father of Lionel Messi, also worked as the player's agent and generally managed much of his off-field affairs.According to The Athletic, Jorge was a supervisor at a metal factory in Rosario, Argentina, before he took on the responsibilities of overseeing the career of arguably the greatest soccer player who has ever lived.Messi and his father always maintained a very close relationship, despite the inevitable complications of overlapping professional and personal lives. Jorge helped to plot his son's career path via the Barcelona academy and was often a pivotal figure in contract negotiations at the senior level.Such close working ties did sometimes cause problems. Back in 2013, at a time when Spanish authorities began to clamp down on alleged tax evasion, the Messis were accused of avoiding 4.1 million ($4.7m by 2026 exchange rates) by routing income via image rights through offshore tax havens.Jorge Messi largely took responsibility during a court hearing, during which he said he had followed the guidance of tax advisors. His son said he "signed the contracts as I trusted my dad."In 2016, both men were found guilty of three counts of tax fraud between 2007 and 2009, while Lionel Messi played for Barcelona. They were initially given prison sentences 21 months for Lionel, 15 months for Jorge which, according to Spanish law, they were permitted to serve on probation. In 2017, those sentences were changed to fines totalling approximately 432,000 ($495,000).