Jorge Messi died Saturday at a hospital in Rosario, aged 68, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing Newell's Old Boys. [1] The club said he had undergone treatment in recent months for an unspecified illness. The family has not published a diagnosis. This paper will not invent one.

The Times also recorded the agent file. In 2013, father and son were accused by a Spanish prosecutor of concealing earnings from image rights. [1] Jorge Messi paid more than 5 million euros, $6.6 million, to cover alleged back taxes and interest. He had been a steelworker and a Newell's youth midfielder before he took a boy to Barcelona and then negotiated Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami.

Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, said Saturday that Jorge had raised "a person of values: humble, respectful, and deeply committed to others." [1] The AFA ordered a minute of silence and black armbands across Argentine soccer. The Saturday American obit is the tax case and the armband, not a myth.

Lionel said in 2007 that he always needed his father's approval after every match. [1] The Times recorded the World Cup-week family statement that Jorge was under medical care and that his health should not be the subject of speculation. Saturday's American obit keeps the steelworker, the agent, the tax payment, and the armband. It does not print a diagnosis.

-- AMARA OKONKWO, Lagos