Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has died after a prolonged illness in Rosario, Argentina at the age of 68.
Newell’s Old Boys, a prestigious Argentina club team that Lionel Messi played with from 1995 to 2000, confirmed his passing and paid tribute to the elder Messi in a statement posted to X on Saturday morning.
“Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini,” the statement said.
Photo: AP
“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory,” it said, adding: “Thank you for teaching him to love these colors.”
Lionel Messi missed the home match Saturday night for his MLS team, Inter Miami, against Monterrey in a Leagues Cup competition. He reportedly arrived in Rosario on Saturday night and would attend a private memorial service.
“Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family,” Inter Miami said in a statement earlier in the day. Miami players wore black armbands for the match, which had a minute of silence before the kickoff at Nu Stadium for Jorge Messi.
When Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, also Lionel Messi’s teammate on the Argentina national team, scored in the 32nd minute against Monterrey, he removed his shirt to reveal a Messi No. 10 jersey.
A former steel worker, Jorge Messi managed his son’s career. His health became news at the FIFA World Cup in June when word spread that he was facing a downturn in his condition, with some reports falsely stating he had died.
The Messi family responded with a terse statement blasting those who engaged in “rumors and speculation,” and cautioned that only immediate family members could provide accurate information.
In the opener of his record sixth World Cup, Lionel Messi, 39, was brought to tears over his three-goal performance in a 3-0 victory over Algeria. It was his first World Cup hat trick.
He was asked about wiping away tears in the wake of the performance.
“Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I have been through some difficult, complicated days,” Messi said in Spanish after the match.
Messi scored eight goals in eight matches at the World Cup. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
He took time off after the World Cup from his duties with Inter Miami CF of MLS, reportedly visiting his father in Argentina. He played on Wednesday in Miami’s Leagues Cup game, a 4-2 win over Atletico de San Luis. He tallied two goals and an assist in the game, played in Miami.
Miami lost 2-1 to Monterrey Saturday night, with another Leagues Cup match between Miami and Liga MX side Leon set for Wednesday.
Miami returns to the MLS schedule on Sunday next week.
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