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Jorge Messi, father of Argentina great Lionel Messi, dies at 68

▶ Watch Video: Roger Bennett on the impact of the World Cup, Messi’s legacy

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of soccer great Lionel Messi, has died. He was 68 years old.

The death was confirmed by CONMEBOL, the South American football federation, the Argentina National Football Team and in a statement from the family provided to Reuters.

“CONMEBOL deeply regrets the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi,” the federation said in a statement translated from Spanish on social media. “We accompany Lionel, his family, friends, and loved ones with respect and affection in this moment of profound grief. May he rest in peace.”

The Argentina National Football Team said in a brief statement on social media, “Sending our deepest strength to Leo Messi and his family. We’re with you during this difficult time and sending you our warmest embrace.”

Lionel Messi and Argentina finished second in this year’s World Cup after the soccer great led his home country to the world title in 2022. Jorge Messi was seen on the field with his son after reaching the sport’s mountaintop.

“Jorge was the pillar of strength and the person who, along with his wife, Celia Cuccittini, supported the career of the greatest player of all time with vision, rigor, and affection,” Newell’s Old Boys, the first club where Lionel Messi played in Argentina, said in a statement on Jorge Messi’s death. “His constant support and behind-the-scenes leadership were fundamental in backing every step of Lionel’s journey, from his beginnings in the Falklands to the pinnacle of world football glory.

“Thank you for teaching him to love these colors,” the statement concluded.

FBL-MLS-USA-MIAMI-NEW YORK
Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, parents of Inter Miami’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi, wait for the start of the MLS Eastern Conference final in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Nov. 29, 2025.

Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Jorge Messi took his son to Barcelona for his first tryout with the Spanish super club in 2000 and then moved to Spain with him when he was signed by the club soon thereafter.

Lionel Messi made his debut with Barcelona at just 16 years old. His father became his agent and saw him through deals with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and his current club, MLS team Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after scoring a hat trick in Argentina’s first game of this year’s World Cup against Algeria. In a press conference after the match, he said the reason for crying on the pitch was “something unrelated to football,” but he did not further elaborate. 

Messi’s family then released a statement on Jorge, saying he was “going through a health-related situation” and “under medical care, recovering and evolving favorably, given the condition he is experiencing.”

The family also criticized the “rumors and speculations” around Jorge Messi’s health and called it a private matter.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami squad was scheduled to play Monterrey in the Leagues Cup on Saturday night. It was unclear if he would play after the announcement of his father’s death.

9-year-old bowler beats field of adults in Indiana tournament

By CNN
Click here for updates on this story    CHICAGO (WBBM) -- What does it take to bowl a perfect game? Tenacity, skill, and experience. Nine-year-old Landen Henderson, of Maywood, has all three."He's always had a ball in his hand, even before he could walk," said his mother, Keya. "We drilled his very first bowling ball before he was 2."Keya doubles as Landen's chauffeur and biggest fan, and she has plenty to be proud of.In May, Landen beat a field of adult bowlers to become the youngest winner ever in the Indiana Times Classic Bowling Tournament. He asked his parents to compete, and said that would be his birthday present.How did he win? Landen has a simple explanation."The guy that came in second, he needed to shoot a score to beat me and he didn't," Landen said.Landen has a whole history of wins under his belt; more than you can imagine.Recently, he was honored for his accomplishments at Rate Field, with a shout-out on the field and the jumbotron during a White Sox game."I went onto the field, and I was just on jumbotron," he said. "I was kind of nervous, because there were a lot of people, but then also I had a lot of fun."Landen bowls three to five times a week, and comes from a family that's been bowling for generations. His parents met at the bowling alley.So who is Landen's toughest competition so far?"Probably my mom," he said. "She knows my game better than anyone else.""I have to oftentimes remind him that I still have it. Even though I'm a little older than him, I still have it," Keya said.Keya's a champ as well, with several big wins to her credit, but she said it's her son's curiosity that makes him a winner."He is always learning, he is information seeking, and he's very independent," she said. "He's an only child of older parents, so he's very mature."His principal, Carnita Nash, first met Landen way back in his pre-k days, and she's pretty proud, too."Having that quality to be driven and goal-oriented is amazing at such a young age," she said. "That's something he's always had. We're just seeing it more now as he grows older."Landen's had to grow up a little faster than some kids his age. His family has been through a lot this past year or so."About six months after losing my mother, I was diagnosed with breast cancer," Keya said.Keya said Landen put his own fears aside to support her."I said that for Halloween he should have been a lifesaver," she said. "He saved me. He gave me purpose where I struggled."Back on the lanes, Landen is just part of the team. His principal said that's part of his charm."He's a very compassionate loving kid," Nash said.Which inspires his friends Naekel and Amir to cheer him on even more."He's a pretty cool guy. He's a great bowler," Naekel said."He's cool. He's like, very tame, like, respectful," Amir said.His father, Jarade, said great bowling is only part of success."Our biggest message for him was learn how to lose, because that's how you win," he said. "You're going to have a lot of losses, a lot of wins, just remain humble."Does Landen have any bowling tips?"To, like, not worry about the score when you're just a beginner. But then, also, don't worry about the score when you already know how to bowl. Just have fun," he said.Landen's parents said they're hoping a college scholarship in bowling is in his future. Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.
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