Jorge Messi, the father and agent of soccer star Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68. His death was announced on Saturday by Newell's Old Boys, the Argentine club where Lionel Messi played as a child and which he has supported throughout his career. The club said Jorge Messi's constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel's career. Reports say Jorge Messi died after a long illness. He was widely known as a key figure in managing his son's professional life, helping guide the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner through his rise to global stardom. The announcement did not provide further details about the circumstances of his death. The news drew an outpouring of condolences from fans and the soccer community, though the family has not yet made a public statement. Newell's Old Boys, based in Rosario, Argentina, holds a special place in the Messi family's history, as Lionel Messi played for the club's youth teams before moving to Spain as a teenager to join Barcelona. Jorge Messi's passing was confirmed by the club in a social media post, which was widely shared. He was 68 years old.