STORY: Jorge Messi, the father of soccer star Lionel Messi, died on Friday (August 7) night at the age of 68 at a medical clinic in the Argentine city of Rosario after a long illness, the Argentine footballer's family confirmed to Reuters.

Jorge spent his final months alternating between a medical center in Rosario and his home, accompanied by his wife Celia and his children Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol, the family said.

Lionel Messi spent time with his father after the World Cup before rejoining his club, Inter Miami, for whom he returned to action a week ago.

Jorge closely accompanied his son Lionel throughout his career, beginning with his early years at Barcelona. He acted as a crucial pillar of support and, for several years, served as his representative.

During the World Cup, the captain of the Argentine national team experienced mixed emotions after scoring a hat trick in the opening match against Algeria, breaking down in tears while celebrating his first goal.

Later, at a press conference, Lionel explained that his tears were due to "something unrelated to football" after going through "a few difficult, complicated days."

Days later, the family issued a statement regarding Jorge's "health situation", informing the public that he was undergoing medical treatment.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: BARCELONA, SPAIN (ARCHIVE - SEPTEMBER 2, 2020) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. JORGE MESSI GETTING OUT OF PLANE AND INTO A WAITING VAN TO TAKE HIM TO AIRPORT GATE

2. VARIOUS OF JORGE MESSI WALKING THROUGH AIRPORT

3. JORGE MESSI WALKING OUT OF AIRPORT

BARCELONA, SPAIN (ARCHIVE - AUGUST 10, 2021) (REUTERS - Access all)

4. VARIOUS OF JORGE MESSI ARRIVING AT BARCELONA AIRPORT WITH JOURNALISTS FOLLOWING HIM BEFORE ENTERING CORPORATE TERMINAL

GAVA, SPAIN (ARCHIVE - SEPTEMBER 27, 2013) (REUTERS - Access all) (MUTE)

5. STILL PHOTO OF JORGE MESSI ARRIVING TO COURT TO ANSWER CHARGES OF TAX EVASION

BARCELONA, SPAIN (ARCHIVE - JUNE 2, 2016) (REUTERS - Access all)

6. LIONEL MESSI AND JORGE MESSI GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND ENTERING COURT

BARCELONA, SPAIN (ARCHIVE - JUNE 2, 2016) (BARCELONA HIGH COURT POOL - Access all)

7. JORGE MESSI TALKING IN FRONT OF THE COURT WITH LIONEL MESSI SITTING NEXT TO HIS FATHER

BARCELONA, SPAIN (ARCHIVE - JUNE 2, 2016) (REUTERS/POOL - Access all) (MUTE)

8. VARIOUS STILL PHOTOS OF LIONEL MESSI SITTING IN COURT WITH HIS FATHER JORGE MESSI DURING THEIR TRIAL FOR TAX EVASION

BARCELONA, SPAIN (ARCHIVE - JUNE 2, 2016) (REUTERS - Access all)

9. MEDIA GATHERED OUTSIDE COURT WAITING FOR LIONEL MESSI

10. VARIOUS OF LIONEL MESSI COMING OUT OF COURT BUILDING AND HEADING TO HIS VAN ALONG WITH HIS FATHER

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, UNITED STATES (ARCHIVE - JUNE 24, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

11. LIONEL MESSI AMONGST TEAMMATES AT ARGENTINA TRAINING TAKING PART IN RONDO DRILL DURING THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

12. LIONEL MESSI’S LEG TATTOO

13. VARIOUS OF LIONEL MESSI DURING RONDO DRILL

14. LIONEL MESSI JOGGING AMONGST TEAMMATES

15. LIONEL MESSI

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY (JULY 19, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

16. LIONEL MESSI LEADING OUT ARGENTINA TEAMMATES AS THEY EXIT THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY STADIUM AND WALK TO THEIR BUS FOLLOWING THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL WHICH THEY LOST 1-0 TO SPAIN