The South American Football Confederation, known as CONMEBOL, also expressed its condolences, stating, “with respect and affection for Lionel.” This loss comes shortly after Lionel Messi led the Argentine national team to a runner-up finish in the 2022
Jorge Messi's Influence on His Son's Career
Jorge Messi, a former chemical technician and steelworker, played a crucial role in shaping his son’s illustrious football career. Although he had aspirations of playing professionally himself, he had to abandon his football dreams to fulfill his military service obligations. He later became Lionel’s agent, managing his business affairs and guiding him through pivotal moments in his career, including the move to Barcelona in the early 2000s for a trial at La Masia, the club’s youth academy.
Since making his professional debut in 2005, Lionel Messi has achieved remarkable success, including winning eight Ballon d’Or awards and leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup. In a 2007 interview, Lionel reflected on his father’s unwavering support, stating, “My dad was always by my side.” Jorge was instrumental in negotiating contracts with FC Barcelona and later with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, as well as managing Lionel’s image rights and various business ventures.
Tributes and Remembrance
In 2013, both Jorge and Lionel faced legal challenges when they were accused of tax evasion related to the player’s image rights, resulting in Jorge paying over 5 million euros to settle the matter. Following his passing, Claudio Tapia, the president of Argentina’s football federation, released a heartfelt statement honoring Jorge Messi for raising a son of strong values, emphasizing his humility and commitment to others. In tribute, the federation has mandated a moment of silence at all Argentine football matches and requested that players, referees, and coaching staff wear black armbands in remembrance of Jorge Messi.
