Jorge Messi, father and longtime adviser of Argentina captain and football legend Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68.

Multiple media reports from Argentina and Spain, including Infobae, said Jorge died on Friday night at about 10 p.m. local time at a clinic in Rosario, Argentina.

“Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Andrés Messi, died last night at 10 p.m. in a clinic in the city of Rosario, Argentina,” Infobae reported, citing information it obtained.

The reported death comes after an emotional moment involving Lionel Messi during Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was seen in tears after scoring his first goal against Algeria.

Messi later said his emotions after the match were not related to football.

The Messi family had previously confirmed that Jorge was receiving medical treatment for a health condition and appealed to the public and media to respect their privacy.

Jorge played a significant role in Lionel Messi’s career, particularly during his son’s rise from a young footballer in Rosario to one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport.