In a heartbreaking turn of events, Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of the renowned Argentine soccer superstar, Lionel Messi, passed away on Saturday at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina. He was 68 years old. Jorge Messi had been battling an unspecified illness for some time, as revealed by Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys, the Rosario-based soccer club where he once played as a midfielder. The club's statement acknowledged him as "the pillar and the person who, with vision, rigor, and affection, supported the career of the best player of all time, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini." The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) expressed their condolences for Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to a runner-up finish in this year's World Cup. During the tournament, Messi visibly displayed emotion, particularly after scoring the first of his three goals against Algeria, stating later that his tears were unrelated to sports. Jorge Messi's death has sparked an outpouring of condolences from various quarters, including football authorities and media outlets. The president of Argentina’s soccer federation, Claudio Tapia, acknowledged Jorge Messi for raising "a person of values: humble, respectful, and deeply committed to others." Argentine soccer matches across all categories have been mandated to observe a moment of silence in his memory, with players, referees, and coaching staff wearing black armbands. Jorge Messi, a former chemical technician, played soccer himself but had to abandon the sport due to mandatory military service. He became instrumental in his third son's career, serving as his agent and managing his business affairs, including negotiations for contracts with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, as well as the use of Lionel Messi's image rights and numerous real estate investments. In 2013, Jorge Messi and his son were accused by a Spanish prosecutor of trying to conceal earnings from the player’s image rights. The father subsequently paid more than €5 million ($6.6 million) on August 14, 2013, to cover alleged back taxes and interest. In Rosario, a sign at the VIP Rosario restaurant, one of the Messi family's gastronomic ventures, indicated that it was closed for the day in honor of Jorge Messi.