Jorge supported his local team Newell's Old Boys and Lionel joined the club when he was seven years old. The club added that they "embrace with affection Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol, and all their loved ones and close ones in this difficult moment". Barcelona thanked Jorge "for his commitment to our club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo's football career". The Argentine Football Association said it "deeply mourns with sadness and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and emblem, Lionel Messi". The Messi family responded after an Argentine television presenter falsely reported Jorge had died during Argentina's opening game at this summer's World Cup.