Lionel Messi's father Jorge passes away at 68 after long illness

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, has passed away at 68 following a prolonged health struggle, as legendary footballer's family confirmed to Reuters. Though the Inter Miami forward had previously acknowledged that his family was navigating a difficult period, he had chosen to keep the exact nature of his father's medical situation private.

Lionel Messi's father breathes his last at 68

Concerns first escalated in June when Messi broke down in tears after scoring against Algeria. Addressing his visible emotion after the match, the Argentine captain explained that his reaction was entirely unrelated to football, revealing only that he had been enduring a challenging stretch off the pitch.

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His tearful moment immediately triggered widespread media speculation regarding Jorge's declining health. As unverified reports and conflicting claims began to circulate rapidly, the Messi family stepped in with an official statement to address the situation.

In their message, the family condemned the sensationalized coverage and public rumors surrounding a deeply personal crisis. Expressing gratitude to well-wishers for their support, they firmly requested privacy to deal with the matter away from the public eye.

Jorge’s declining health appears to have disrupted the 39-year-old superstar's professional commitments as well. In late July, the Inter Miami captain elected to skip the Major League Soccer All-Star Game, with sources indicating he flew out to remain by his father's side during the personal ordeal.

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While Messi made his return to the pitch for Inter Miami shortly after, the brief absence underscored the weight of the off-field difficulties he was navigating behind the scenes.

Jorge's key role in the making of Messi

Throughout his rise from a prodigiously talented youngster in Rosario to a global football icon, Jorge played an indispensable role in shaping his son's trajectory. Beyond his constant presence as a supportive parent, he guided the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's professional career as his primary agent and manager.