Thank you Jorge Messi, for blessing the world with Lionel Messi, the greatest football player of all time. Your legacy will forever live on, and you will never be forgotten.
At the age of 68, after a long battle with a serious illness, Jorge Horacio Messi, Leo Messi’s father, has passed away, confirms @DiarioOle 💔😓
"His health had been deteriorating for some time. He fought through his illness both during and after the World Cup. That is why, following the final against Spain, Leo urgently traveled to Rosario to spend time with his father, whom he had not seen for almost two months.
"Messi’s tears after scoring his first goal against Algeria were the first indication of the difficult situation his father was going through. At one point during the tournament, Leo even considered leaving to go see him.
"Jorge spent time both hospitalized and at his home in Rosario, always accompanied by Celia, who also did not travel. His children Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol came and went to be by his side and support him. Lionel remained in frequent contact to stay updated on his condition, which at times appeared to improve, though the overall situation remained serious."
🐐—Second-most goals in history (21)
🐐—Most wins in history (23)
🐐—Longest scoring streak (9)
🐐—Oldest hat trick scorer (38)
🐐—Joint-most tournament appearances (6)
🐐—Argentina’s top scorer at World Cup
🐐—Most goals from outside the area (7)
🐐—Most World Cup appearances (34)
🐐—Most appearances as captain (27)
🐐—Most assists in knockout phase (10)
🐐—Only man to score in group stage, Ro16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final (2022)
🐐—World Cup winner 🏆
Lionel Messi says farewell to the 2026 World Cup 🥺