Jorge Messi, the father of football star Lionel Messi, passed away on Friday night at the age of 68 at a medical clinic in the Argentine city of Rosario after a prolonged illness, the footballer's family confirmed to Reuters.

Jorge spent his final months alternating between a medical center in Rosario and his home, accompanied by his wife Celia and his children Rodrigo, Matias, and Maria Sol, the family said. He passed away surrounded by loved ones.

Lionel Messi spent time with his father after the World Cup before rejoining his club, Inter Miami, for whom he returned to action a week ago. Jorge closely accompanied his son throughout his career, starting from his early years at Barcelona, serving as a crucial pillar of support and, for several years, acting as his representative.

“I always needed my dad's approval, ever since I was a kid. After every match, I'd ask him what he thought of how I played,” the football star said previously. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's childhood club, Newell's Old Boys, paid tribute to Jorge Messi in a statement.

“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel,” the club said in a social media post. During the World Cup, the Argentine national team captain experienced mixed emotions after scoring a hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria, breaking down in tears while celebrating his first goal.

Later, at a press conference, Lionel explained that his tears were due to “something unrelated to football” after going through “a few difficult, complicated days.” Days later, the family issued a statement regarding Jorge's “health situation,” informing the public that he was undergoing medical treatment.

Source: www.aljazeera.com