ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Argentine Football Association have joined the football world in mourning the death of Jorge Messi, father and long-time representative of Lionel Messi.

Jorge Messi died aged 68 in the early hours of today, August 8, in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, following a long illness.

Following Jorge’s demise, Real Madrid issued a statement expressing their condolences to the Messi family.

“Real Madrid, its president and board of directors deeply mourn the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Messi,” the club’s statement reads.

“Our club extends our condolences to Leo, his family and all his relatives and friends. May the deceased rest in peace.”

Barcelona also paid tribute to Jorge, while acknowledging his role in Lionel Messi’s remarkable career and his close relationship with the club.

“The President and Board of Directors of FC Barcelona express their deepest condolences on the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Lionel Messi, and extend their sympathies to the Messi family on behalf of the entire Barcelona family,” the club said.

“FC Barcelona thanks Jorge Messi for his unwavering support and dedication to the club, and for entrusting us with the formative years and greatest moments of his son Leo’s football career.

“May he rest in peace.”

Jorge had served as Lionel’s agent since the Argentina captain was 14 and played a central role in his son’s rise from Rosario to the summit of world football.

Lionel joined Newell’s Old Boys at the age of seven before moving to Spain with his father in 2001 after Barcelona signed him as a 13-year-old.

While the rest of the family later returned to Rosario, Jorge remained in Barcelona with his son as Lionel developed through the club’s academy.

Newell’s Old Boys, the club supported by Jorge, also remembered his influence on Lionel’s career.

“Jorge was 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,” the club posted on X.

“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas [youth academy] to the pinnacle of world football glory.

“Thank you for teaching him to love these colours.”

The Argentine Football Association also expressed its grief over the death of Jorge, describing Lionel as its captain and emblem.

The association said it “deeply mourns with sadness and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and emblem, Lionel Messi”.

It added: “From here, we stand in solidarity with the entire family during this difficult time and send the most heartfelt, warm and affectionate embrace.”

Jorge’s influence extended far beyond his role as an agent. He remained closely involved in Lionel’s career as the forward went on to win eight Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League titles and 10 La Liga crowns with Barcelona.

He was also in Qatar in 2022 when Lionel finally led Argentina to World Cup glory, completing one of the most celebrated careers in football history.

Jorge’s death comes after previous speculation over his health during the World Cup. The Messi family had confirmed at the time that he was dealing with a “health-related situation” but did not disclose further details.

The family had also faced distress earlier when an Argentine television presenter falsely reported that Jorge had died during Argentina’s opening match at this summer’s World Cup. The presenter later resigned.

Jorge is survived by his wife, Celia, and their children Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Lionel Messi was the footballer who received the most death threats during the 2026 World Cup, according to a newly released US police report reviewed by Spanish newspaper Marca.

The report details a series of security threats handled by the FBI and international police agencies during the seven-week tournament, including several incidents involving players, referees and stadiums.

One of the most serious threats came before Argentina’s group-stage meeting with Jordan. According to the report, a man contacted Dallas airport and claimed he and two others planned to storm the stadium with homemade bombs and an AR-15 rifle. Messi was reportedly named as their intended target.

Further threats emerged before Argentina’s last-16 clash with Egypt. One suspect wrote on social media: “I’m going to enter Atlanta Stadium and I’m going to blow up Messi with four bombs stuck in my body.”

Police also received a separate report claiming that three bombs had been hidden in bins around the stadium. Authorities launched a search with explosive-detection dogs but found nothing. The bomb threat was later established to be a hoax.

Messi was not the only high-profile player caught up in security scares during the tournament.

FIFA alerted the FBI after a suspicious man repeatedly sought information about Cristiano Ronaldo’s whereabouts. Houston police later arrested the man at the hotel where Portugal were staying.

Two days later, another person was arrested in Toronto after attempting to enter a lift with Ronaldo. The individual reportedly told officers he only wanted a photograph with the Portugal captain.

Referees also faced serious threats during the tournament. French referee François Letexier received more than 6,000 hateful messages on WhatsApp following the controversial Argentina-Egypt fixture. VAR official Willy Delajod was also subjected to abuse.

Authorities subsequently increased security around the homes and families of both officials in France.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing opposition ahead of the election for his final term in March 2027, with several European football associations withdrawing their support following the controversy surrounding his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan.

Infantino’s re-election had appeared largely assured until the plan, which sought to invite private companies to invest in the World Cup, triggered criticism from football authorities.

FIFA subsequently shelved the proposal, while Infantino apologised for errors surrounding the initiative.

He has since secured the backing of FIFA’s senior executives at a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

The final decision, however, rests with FIFA’s 211 member associations.

Each association has one vote, meaning countries such as San Marino and the Bahamas carry the same voting weight as major football nations including Brazil and England.

Confederations such as UEFA and the Confederation of African Football can endorse candidates and lobby their members, but individual associations ultimately cast the votes.

While UEFA has publicly criticised Infantino, the African football confederation has backed him.

No candidate has formally emerged to challenge him so far, with the deadline for nominations set for November 18.

Nations opposing Infantino
Opposition to Infantino has been concentrated largely in Europe. Finland was among the first associations to withdraw its support, followed by England, Wales and Serbia. Sweden, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Germany Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have subsequently indicated that they will not back the FIFA president’s re-election, PUNCH Online and itv reported Saturday.

Romania and the Czech Republic have also suggested they will not support Infantino, although neither association had formally declared its position at the time of the report.

Jordan is the only non-European country identified as having publicly said it will not support Infantino.

Its football federation is led by former FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who accused FIFA’s leadership of blackmail.

He said Jordan had been awaiting money for reaching the final of the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar in December and claimed he was told that supporting Infantino would help the federation receive the funds.

Prince Ali later confirmed that Jordan had received the outstanding money.

FULL LIST: Nations publicly opposing or withdrawing support
1. Finland

2. England

3. Wales

4. Serbia

5. Sweden

6. Greece

7. Albania

8. Croatia

9. Germany

10. Denmark

11. Netherlands

12. Norway

13. Jordan

Not formally opposed but indicating they may not back Infantino:
1. Romania
2. Czech Republic

Nations backing Infantino
Infantino has also retained support from several associations across different confederations. Qatar, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Lebanon and Morocco publicly backed him after the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was withdrawn.

Their support was followed by endorsements from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Bhutan, the Philippines, Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay.

Other associations with a history of supporting Infantino, including Egypt, Niger and Mauritania, have voiced support in recent weeks but stopped short of issuing full endorsements.

Full list: Nations publicly backing Infantino
1. Qatar

2. Sri Lanka

3. Kuwait

4. Lebanon

5. Morocco

6. Democratic Republic of Congo

7. Indonesia

8. Bhutan

9. Philippines

10. Mexico

11. Argentina

12. Paraguay

Nations voicing support but stopping short of full endorsements:
1. Egypt

2. Niger

3. Mauritania

The positions outlined above are based on the associations publicly identified in the report.

With 211 FIFA members entitled to vote and the candidate nomination deadline still ahead, the balance of support could change before the March 2027 election.