ROSARIO, Argentina (AP) — Jorge Messi, the father of soccer star and Argentina captain Lionel Messi, died Saturday at a hospital in the central Argentina city of Rosario. Lionel Messi led Argentina to a runner-up finish in this year's World Cup. Lionel Messi made his professional debut in 2005 and went on to win eight Ballon d’Or awards. “My dad was always by my side,” Lionel Messi said in a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata. Jorge Messi paid more than than 5 million euros ($6.6 million) on Aug. 14 to cover alleged back taxes and interest.