Jorge Messi’s decision changed the history of football

At every step of Lionel Messi's career, his family had immense sacrifices and unwavering support like a banyan tree. From making the risky decision to move to Spain to guiding all the important contracts throughout his career, a father was involved in everything.

One of the greatest Messi contracts in football history and the main architect of the big life-changing decisions made by Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi. A big chapter in life, he used to work hard in a steel factory. Born on January 1, 1958, this man was Lionel's companion in this dream journey since childhood. At the end of the day, he was not only a father, but also a decisive role as a guardian and agent.

Jorge Messi's family, built by Celia Cucchitini, was blessed with four children - Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.

The scenes of his father's day and night struggle and sacrifice are still etched in the memory of Argentina captain Messi. He grew up watching his father's tireless work. In an interview, Messi said, 'I got a lot of his personality. However, he couldn't spend much time with us because he worked all day.

He would get up at 4 am and return in time for dinner. Whenever we met, he enjoyed that time very much; he never even shouted at me. I missed him a lot. Today I am lucky that I can spend a lot of time with my children. I try to follow my parents in raising my children.'

After being diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, the Messi family faced a problem that was not limited to the football field. The cost of that treatment was very expensive, and Messi's father started trying his best to raise it.

Jorge Messi said in an interview, ‘I worked at the Osinda factory and also spoke with their foundation. The two places together helped cover the medical expenses for the first two years. But then the situation became complicated, they could no longer afford the expenses.’

That’s when the opportunity came from Barcelona, ​​and the stakes were huge—for a teenager of only 13 years old, to leave the entire city of Rosario and move to an unknown country! Jorge himself negotiated with Barcelona so that the club would cover the entire cost of Leo’s treatment, and he could settle in Spain with his son. Although it was a price to pay for this ‘emigration’ of their beloved homeland, in the end, this decision changed their lives forever.

As the repeated renewal of contracts with Barcelona and the business affairs surrounding Messi grew, Jorge Messi’s role as a representative became even more important. He explained their motto in simple terms on more than one occasion: ‘We always try to make sure Leo can focus on his game.’ And the rest of the contracts, sponsorships and business matters were handled by trusted people around him.

When a tragic and painful departure was created when it was not possible to extend his contract with Barcelona in 2021, Jorge Messi was once again at the center of all discussions. From the complicated mediation to join PSG, to the final decision to move to Inter Miami after talking to Jorge and José Mas two years later—he was behind it all.

Behind the clever mediator or mastermind behind the biggest turning points of Messi’s career, there was a long-standing, genuine blood relationship—a relationship that was built long before the signing of the multi-million dollar contract. From those hard days of going to work in Rosario's early mornings to the long conversations with his son after each match—Jorge was a father, agent, mentor, and one of those rare people whose approval Lionel Messi himself would eagerly await, even after reaching the pinnacle of football.