Jorge Messi, the man who shaped arguably the greatest football player of all time, Lionel Messi, passed away at 68 after a long illness. The news broke early Saturday morning from Rosario, Argentina, where Jorge had been Lionel’s agent since he was just 14 years old, guiding a career that saw his son win a record eight Ballon d’Or trophies.
More Than An Agent: The Pillar of a Legend
This wasn’t just some agent looking for a cut; this was the rock, the guiding force behind a player many call the greatest of all time. Jorge was there, on the ground, in Qatar, to witness Lionel finally grab that 2022 World Cup triumph, winning best player of the tournament. Think about that: watching your son, who’s now 39 and tearing it up for Inter Miami, clinch arguably the biggest prize in world football, a journey Jorge supported since Lionel was just 14. Beyond the World Cup, Jorge was instrumental in a career that includes an insane four Champions League titles with Barcelona and ten La Liga titles over seventeen seasons in their first team. He even backed Lionel from the very start, supporting local club Newell’s Old Boys, where Lionel joined at seven years old. When Barca signed Lionel at 13, Jorge made the ultimate sacrifice: moving the family to Spain in February 2001 and staying with Lionel in Barcelona even after his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and other siblings, Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol, moved back to Rosario. That’s dedication, folks. That’s a father’s unwavering belief.
A Father’s Unwavering Support, Even Through Hard Times
Newell’s Old Boys absolutely nailed it when they called Jorge ‘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.’ They saw the ‘constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership’ as essential, backing every step, from Lionel’s youth academy days at Malvinas right up to the pinnacle of world football glory. Even the Argentine Football Association came out, ‘deeply mourn[ing] with sadness and sorrow’ the passing, sending solidarity to the family. It just shows the immense impact Jorge had, not just on Lionel, but on the entire football landscape. And let’s not forget the tough stuff: there was speculation about his health during this summer’s World Cup, with the family issuing a statement about a ‘health-related situation.’ And tragically, an Argentine TV presenter even falsely reported his death during an opening game, causing ‘deep discomfort’ for the family. Talk about going through it. Through all of that, Jorge was the rock.
While we won’t see Jorge in the stands again, his legacy is etched into every record Lionel Messi has broken and every trophy he’s lifted. It’s a powerful reminder that behind every GOAT, there’s often an even greater, unwavering support system. Rest in peace, Jorge. You helped give the world a legend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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