Who was Lionel Messi’s father? All about Soccer star’s family amid dad’s passing 

Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, has passed away at the age of sixty-eight. The Argentine soccer star's boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys, confirmed the news in a statement shared on X on Saturday, August 8, remembering Jorge as a recognized leproso fan, businessman and father of the Argentine national team captain. The club also paid tribute to the role Jorge played throughout his son's historic 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. His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory. Thank you for teaching him to love these colors," the club wrote.

The Old Boys' Board of Directors, members and athletes extended their condolences to Celia, who is sixty-six years old, Lionel, thirty-nine, and the rest of their family. In addition to Lionel Messi, Jorge and Celia are also parents to two older sons, Rodrigo and Matías, and a daughter, María Sol.

How Jorge Messi helped shape Lionel Messi's path:

Jorge Messi played a significant role in his son's career. He had previously served as a business manager and even as an agent for his son. As per a report shared by The Athletic, Jorge was a supervisor at a metal factory in Rosario before Lionel's career took off. He also helped coach at the local Grandoli soccer club, where Lionel played his first games as a child, before the youngster moved on to Newell's Old Boys.

When Lionel was thirteen years old, he needed treatment for a hormone condition affecting his growth. The family could not afford the nine-hundred-dollar-a-month treatment. So Jorge and his son made the trip to Spain in September 2000, where Lionel had a trial at Barcelona. A deal was not done at the time. In December, however, Barcelona director Charly Rexach famously signed a contract written on a napkin, in the presence of then-Messi family advisors Josep Maria Minguella and Horacio Gaggioli.

Lionel eventually secured his move to Barcelona, making his first-team debut in 2004 and going on to establish himself as one of the greatest players of all time.

Lionel Messi's parents speak out on the scrutiny and criticism their son has faced throughout his career:

As per a report shared by People, Jorge and Celia were incredibly supportive of Lionel throughout his career, with Jorge often coming to his son's defense when he believed the criticism directed at him was unfair. Such was the case in 2010, when Lionel drew criticism from Argentines after the national team failed to advance past the World Cup quarterfinals. Jorge spoke to Sports Illustrated at the time, saying,

"More than 100 players were called up for the national team, and only one was to blame? It's unfair. Leo has never gotten used to the situation here in Argentina. It's really tough for him to be in Barcelona, where he's really loved, and then come here and hear all that criticism."

Although Celia generally stayed out of the spotlight, she opened up in a rare interview with El Diario de Mariana about how the family coped with the scrutiny Lionel faced.

"We suffer from all the criticism that Leo receives. When people say that he doesn't feel it or that he plays for the national team out of obligation, that hurts as a mother and as a family. Luckily, people love him a lot, and they transmit that to him, and he values this a lot. As a mother, I do, too," shared Celia.

Lionel Messi opens up about life at home with Antonella Roccuzzo:

Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo reconnected in 2005 and eventually tied the knot in June 2017. The couple are parents to three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. Away from the pitch, Lionel Messi has been open about where his priorities lie. He told Zane Lowe in February 2025 that the fame and recognition he carries outside his front door disappears the moment he walks through it.

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"I am beyond everything else that happens to me, the fame and the recognition I may have outside. Inside my house, I am a very normal person, like anybody else," he shared.

That bond with his family was on full display when Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. Lionel Messi, who scored two goals in the final against France, was met on the field by two of his sons shortly after the final whistle.

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