Tragedy in Messi's family: his father dies at 69 (PHOTO)
Jorge Messi, father and sole agent of Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 69 after a long illness. He spent his final days in a hospital in Rosario. News of his health struggle emerged during the World Cup, when Messi broke down in tears after the win over Algeria. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Jorge Messi, father and sole agent of Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 69 after a long illness. According to Argentine outlet Infobae, he spent his final days in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario, where he battled a serious condition. Born in 1958, Jorge played a key role in his son's rise: he accompanied him from his early steps in sport, helped with the move to Spain, and served as his official agent for many years. His health struggle first came to light during the World Cup, when fans noticed his absence from the stands. After a 3-0 win over Algeria, in which Messi scored a hat-trick, the footballer could not hold back tears, admitting he was going through a difficult personal period. The exact cause of death and diagnosis have not been disclosed. The sports world has expressed condolences to the Messi family.