Father of Lionel Messi dies in Argentina after long illness aged 68

RIP: Jorge Messi, the father of football star Lionel Messi, died on Friday night at the age ​of 68. Pic: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images.

Jorge Messi, the father of football star Lionel Messi, died on Friday night at the age ​of 68 at a medical clinic in the ‌Argentine city of Rosario after a long illness, the Argentine 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, Matías and ⁠María Sol, the family said.