Without Jorge there is no Messi; Heartbreak on August 7th and retirement on August 31st

For football superstar Lionel Messi, Jorge Messi was his friend, manager and an indisputable part of his life. They behaved less like a father-son duo and more like close pals. Jorge’s influence shaped Messi's life and football career.

Midway through the 2026 World Cup, Jorge fell ill. Messi was deeply affected by his father's hospitalisation during the tournament. Messi had come to Argentina to visit his father, who was in the hospital after the World Cup. He then returned to play for the American Club Inter Miami. He had played two matches and scored a goal when the news arrived about Jorge’s death. Hours later, Messi shared a social media post and gave a sly hint that his football career would never be the same again.

Jorge was the biggest force behind Messi's success. Messi, who suffered from low growth hormone as a child, was taken good care of by his father, who used all his means to give the best treatment and medicine to his son, who would go on to tantalise the world with his football genius. Since his time in Newell's Old Boys youth team, Jorge was there to encourage Messi. Later, when Messi arrived at Barcelona at the age of 13, his father accompanied him. Messi's mother, Celia Cuccitini, and his other children, Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol, were moved to Rosario safely so that Jorge could be along with Messi.

Jorge also acted as Messi's official agent. He also managed Messi's contracts with Barcelona, ​​PSG and Inter Miami. Jorge also managed Messi's commercial and advertising contracts off the field.

Barely a month after Jorge’s passing, Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football.