Jorge Messi's Last Public Appearance Before His Death
Lionel Messi's father died at 68 after a long illness. His final public appearance came in March while supporting the family's club in Rosario.
Jorge Messi's final public appearance came on March 28, when he attended the Gabino Sosa Stadium to support Leones FC, the Messi family's club, during their Primera C match against Central Córdoba in Rosario.
The 68-year-old watched from the stands as Leones FC secured a historic 1-0 victory. The match was particularly significant because it marked the first meeting between the two Rosario clubs in an AFA competition after Leones FC joined the Primera C.
Known for staying away from cameras and microphones, Jorge Messi gave a few brief comments that afternoon, highlighting the importance of the occasion for the family club.
“Visiting means everything,” he said about playing at Central Córdoba's historic stadium.
That would become his final public appearance. His deteriorating health prevented him from accompanying Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup, ending a tradition that had seen Jorge attend his son's previous five World Cups.
Jorge's last public appearance alongside Lionel had taken place on November 8, 2025, during Inter Miami's playoff match against Nashville. After the game, Lionel threw his shirt toward the box where his parents, Jorge and Celia, were watching. Celia caught the shirt and kissed it before sharing an emotional moment with her husband.
In June, the Messi family had denied reports of Jorge's death and confirmed that he was undergoing medical treatment. On August 8, 2026, his death was officially confirmed in Rosario.
Jorge Messi played a major role throughout Lionel's career, supporting and representing his son from his early days in football through his rise to global stardom.
