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<v Speaker 1>Jorge Messi, the father, representative and lifelong manager of Argentine

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<v Speaker 1>football icon Lionel Messi, passed away at the age of

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<v Speaker 1>sixty eight at a medical clinic in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

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<v Speaker 1>His death on Friday evening August seventh, twenty twenty six

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<v Speaker 1>followed a prolonged battle with a chronic illness, concluding a quiet,

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<v Speaker 1>yet deeply influential chapter in modern sports history. Before becoming

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<v Speaker 1>one of the most prominent figures in global athletic representation,

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<v Speaker 1>Jorgey worked as a steel factory section manager in Rosario

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<v Speaker 1>while guiding his young son's early steps at local youth

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<v Speaker 1>clubs Grandoli and Newell's Old Boys. Recognizing Lionel's extraordinary talent

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<v Speaker 1>alongside the necessity of growth hormone treatment, Jorgey made the

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<v Speaker 1>commitment in two thousand to relocate his family to Catalonia,

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<v Speaker 1>securing the foundational agreement with FC Barcelona that launched a

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<v Speaker 1>generational career. For over twenty five years, Jorge served as

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<v Speaker 1>Lionel's sole advisor and business manager, single handedly negotiating landmark

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<v Speaker 1>contract extensions in Spain before orchestrating high profile transfers to

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<v Speaker 1>Paris Saint Germain in twenty twenty one and Inter Miami

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<v Speaker 1>in twenty twenty three. Despite overseeing complex global brand rights,

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<v Speaker 1>real estate investments, and multimillion dollar deals, Jorge maintained a

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<v Speaker 1>famously low public profile, rarely granting press interviews and preferring

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<v Speaker 1>to remain in the background while his son dominated the pitch.

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<v Speaker 1>Health concerns regarding Jorge emerged publicly during the twenty twenty

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<v Speaker 1>six FIFA World Cup. An emotional Lionel was seen in

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<v Speaker 1>tears during Argentina's group stage victory over Algeria, later acknowledging

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<v Speaker 1>the immense personal strain caused by his father's ongoing medical

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<v Speaker 1>treatments in Rosario. The Messi family requested privacy throughout the

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<v Speaker 1>tournament as Jorge spent his final months surrounded by his wife,

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<v Speaker 1>Celia Caxatini, and children. Nouel's Old Boys released an official

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<v Speaker 1>statement describing Jorge as the pillar and the person who

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<v Speaker 1>supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the

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<v Speaker 1>greatest player of all time. Tributes continued to pour in

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<v Speaker 1>from Commobal, European clubs and international teammates, honoring a father

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<v Speaker 1>whose steadfast dedication shaped the career of football's most celebrated figure,