Jorge Messi has passed away aged 68.

Jorge Messi died on Saturday aged 68 after a long illness, passing away in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

Jorge had been Lionel Messi’s agent since the forward was 14 and, in 2000, accompanied his 13-year-old son to Catalonia, playing a key role in persuading Barcelona to sign him.

Inter Miami marked his passing with a minute’s silence before kick-off, black armbands and his name on the big screens at the stadium, while adding a black ribbon to their social media profiles.

Argentina team-mate Rodrigo de Paul celebrated the opening goal by taking off his shirt to reveal Messi’s underneath.

Tributes pour in for Messi’s father

In a statement, Inter Miami said: “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.” Barcelona, who observed a moment’s silence before their friendly win over Nottingham Forest in Udine, 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”.

Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.

Fans left flags and flowers outside Messi’s childhood home in Rosario, while the Argentine Football Association said it “deeply mourns” the passing and sent “the most heartfelt, warm and affectionate embrace” to the family, as reported by BBC Sport.

The tributes underlined the standing of a figure who shaped one of the most decorated periods in Messi’s career.