FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi's first coach Ernesto Vecchio dies at age of 65

Vecchio, who divided his time between Newell`s and Messi Foundation charity, remained a staunch supporter of the Barcelona star.

Buenos Aires: Ernesto Vecchio, the first coach of Lionel Messi when the budding superstar was a young rookie in Argentina, has died at the age of 65, the Newell`s Old Boys club announced Friday.

"We regret to announce the death of Ernesto Vecchio, the technical director of Leo Messi during his debut (at Rosario)," said a statement on the Twitter account of Newell`s where Vecchio worked for more than 30 years.

Vecchio, who divided his time between Newell`s and working with the Messi Foundation charity, remained a staunch supporter of the Barcelona star even when he was widely criticised for announcing his international retirement following last year`s Copa America defeat to Chile.

"This boy can no longer be criticised. He has the right to retire," Vecchio said.