Lionel Messi bids farewell to dad Jorge, the man behind his rise

Messi wey we all dey hail just lose the main man wey dey push am from the start. 68‑year‑old Jorge Messi don join the greats, and the whole football world dey weep, but we for Naija dey yan am like this:

The boy from Rosario no fit even imagine the road to Barcelona without his papa’s hard hustle. Jorge no be just papa, e be the silent coach wey dey push the ball for Messi’s backyard, dey tell am say, “No dey fear, comot body, run am”. As the little Messi dey dribble, papa dey whisper, “Sure guy, you go make dem scream”.

When Messi finally land for FC Barcelona, the whole world dey shout “Messi! Messi!”, but behind the hype na the quiet prayers of his father. People dey forget say the first contract wey Messi sign na the one Jorge negotiate with his old buddies, and the first trophy wey the kid hold for Argentina, na the same one wey his papa dey celebrate with a glass of aguardiente.

“My father taught me that football no be only talent, na discipline and love for the game.” – Lionel, during the tear‑filled tribute.

Now, the football community dey drop flowers, but we for AprokoNation go ask: how many other legends dey carry unseen fathers behind the scenes? The uncomfortable truth be say we dey idolize the star, but we no dey give enough respect to the unsung heroes wey shape am.

So, my people, make we remember Jorge Messi – the quiet mastermind – and use am as reminder say no matter the glitter, every success get a hidden hand.

My guy, Messi no be just a legend because of the ball, na because of Jorge wey dey grind for am since day one.

For Naija we dey sabi say behind every champion, na di silent soldier wey dey push am. Papa Messi dey carry that “no fear, run am” mantra like we dey shout “Omo, hustle!” for our streets.

When the boy dey dribble for Rosario, papa dey watch like scout, dey negotiate contracts while we dey hustle for side‑hustles. That same fire na why we dey cry for him now – the man wey turn a kid into a global deity.

Rest in peace, Jorge – your work go forever shine for the Messi wey dey light up the world.

Oba‑one, you drop am like that heavy bass line we dey hear for Fela’s “Water No Get Enemy” – steady, deep, and you no fit miss am.

Jorge Messi na the original drummer for the kid’s life; before Lionel even learned to put his foot on the ball, papa was already setting the tempo. Think of a classic Afrobeat groove: the congas keep the pulse, the horn section adds the shine, but without that steady kick‑drum the whole track go collapse. Jorge be that kick‑drum – the silent rhythm that kept the beat alive when the world was still whispering “who be this boy from Rosario?”.

When young Messi was kicking pebbles in the streets, his papa was like a highlife guitarist, plucking the strings of hope and telling am “no dey fear, comot body, run am”. That mantra na the same refrain we hear in Naija gospel songs – “I’ll lift you up, I’ll carry you” – but here the choir is a single voice, and the chorus is every dream we all chase.

The moment Messi stepped onto Camp Nou, the stadium erupted like a Lagos club on a Saturday night, but behind the fireworks were Jorge’s quiet prayers, the same prayers we hear when a Burna Boy track drops the final hook. The first contract he signed? That was the record deal Jorge brokered with his old mates, turning a backyard hustle into a global platinum album. And the first trophy for Argentina? That’s the golden gramophone Jorge lifted with a sip of aguardiente, celebrating the remix of a boy’s story into a worldwide anthem.

So as we weep for a legend, let’s also give salute to the producer who never took the spotlight. Jorge Messi may have left the stage, but his rhythm still runs through every dribble, every free‑kick, every chant that fans chant across continents. Rest in peace, Oga Jorge – the unsung maestro behind the greatest symphony football has ever known.