Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, dies at the age of 68

Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has died at the age of 68, Newell’s Old Boys have announced.Jorge Messi, who was a hugely influential figure during his son’s early career and also worked as his agent, is reported to have died in Rosario on Friday night after battling long-term illness.A Newell’s Old Boys statement read: “Jorge was the support and the person who underpinned with vision, rigor and affection the career of the best player of all time together with his wife, Celia Cuccittini.El Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys despide con profundo dolor y pesar a Jorge Messi, quien falleció a los 68 años de edad en la ciudad de Rosario.Reconocido hincha leproso, empresario y padre del capitán del seleccionado argentino, Lionel Andrés Messi.Jorge fue el sostén y la… pic.twitter.com/8dFPMRdM9Z