Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina to say goodbye to his father, Jorge Messi, who died at the age of 68 after reportedly battling cancer.
The football superstar arrived in Rosario late Saturday on a private flight from Miami, accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children.
He has since been with members of his family as preparations were made for a private farewell.
A small ceremony involving members of Argentina’s national team is expected to take place Sunday at El Prado cemetery in Perez, a town near Rosario.
Fans gather outside cemetery
Although the funeral is private, supporters have already gathered outside the cemetery to show their support for the Messi family.
Handwritten messages were placed at the entrance, including notes reading “Stay strong, Leo, we love you” and “Stay strong, Messi family”.
A large floral wreath was also displayed outside the gates.
The show of affection came as Messi’s teammates and friends rallied around the Argentina captain following news of his father’s death.
Messi’s teammates stand by their captain
Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes said the presence of Messi’s teammates could provide some comfort during such a difficult moment.
“It will surely do him good for us to be there,” Paredes said after Boca’s match on Saturday, adding that he would discuss travel plans with his teammates.
Rodrigo de Paul, one of Messi’s closest friends and his teammate at Inter Miami, was also reportedly expected to travel to Argentina.
De Paul had already delivered an emotional tribute to Messi during Inter Miami’s 2-1 defeat by Monterrey.
After scoring, he removed his shirt to reveal Messi’s iconic number 10 jersey underneath.
His father’s health became a private struggle
Jorge Messi’s cause of death has not been officially disclosed, although Argentine media reported that he had been suffering from cancer.
His health had attracted attention during the World Cup in June after he was notably absent from the tournament.
Messi’s family appealed to the media for “humanity” as speculation surrounding Jorge’s condition intensified.
The footballer also acknowledged that he was dealing with personal difficulties away from the pitch.
After becoming emotional following a goal against Algeria, the 39-year-old said he had been experiencing “a situation outside of sports”.
He later admitted that he had endured several difficult days but praised Argentina’s delegation and his teammates for supporting him.
Following Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, Messi returned to Rosario to spend time with his family.
Jorge Messi was there from the beginning
For Messi, Jorge was far more than his agent. He was one of the most important figures in the footballer’s extraordinary journey.
Jorge worked as a metalworker in Rosario while also managing youth teams at local club Grandoli.
He introduced Lionel to football when his son was just four years old, taking him to play on the same makeshift pitches used by other children in the area.
When Barcelona came calling in 2000, the family’s life changed dramatically.
Lionel, then 13, was invited to Spain to continue treatment for a growth hormone deficiency while developing his football career at Barcelona’s youth academy.
Jorge made the difficult decision to leave Argentina and relocate to Spain with his son.
A father who became his son’s agent
The move was emotionally challenging for both father and son.
Messi later recalled how he and Jorge would privately cry during their early days in Barcelona while trying to appear strong in front of each other.
Despite those difficulties, Jorge remained a constant presence as his son’s career exploded.
He eventually became Messi’s agent and played a central role in negotiating the superstar’s major contracts during his spells with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Football world pays tribute
Tributes have poured in from across the football world since news of Jorge Messi’s death emerged.
The clubs associated with Messi have expressed their condolences, while the Spanish Football Federation also sent a message of sympathy to the family.
The Argentine Football Association has also paid tribute to Jorge by ordering a minute of silence before matches and instructing teams across all age groups to wear black armbands throughout the week.
For Messi, the loss marks the passing of the man who helped guide him from a young boy playing football in Rosario to one of the greatest players the sport has ever produced.
Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina to say goodbye to his father, Jorge Messi, who died at the age of 68 after reportedly battling cancer.
The football superstar arrived in Rosario late Saturday on a private flight from Miami, accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children.
He has since been with members of his family as preparations were made for a private farewell.
A small ceremony involving members of Argentina’s national team is expected to take place Sunday at El Prado cemetery in Perez, a town near Rosario.
Fans gather outside cemetery
Although the funeral is private, supporters have already gathered outside the cemetery to show their support for the Messi family.
Handwritten messages were placed at the entrance, including notes reading “Stay strong, Leo, we love you” and “Stay strong, Messi family”.
A large floral wreath was also displayed outside the gates.
The show of affection came as Messi’s teammates and friends rallied around the Argentina captain following news of his father’s death.
Messi’s teammates stand by their captain
Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes said the presence of Messi’s teammates could provide some comfort during such a difficult moment.
“It will surely do him good for us to be there,” Paredes said after Boca’s match on Saturday, adding that he would discuss travel plans with his teammates.
Rodrigo de Paul, one of Messi’s closest friends and his teammate at Inter Miami, was also reportedly expected to travel to Argentina.
De Paul had already delivered an emotional tribute to Messi during Inter Miami’s 2-1 defeat by Monterrey.
After scoring, he removed his shirt to reveal Messi’s iconic number 10 jersey underneath.
His father’s health became a private struggle
Jorge Messi’s cause of death has not been officially disclosed, although Argentine media reported that he had been suffering from cancer.
His health had attracted attention during the World Cup in June after he was notably absent from the tournament.
Messi’s family appealed to the media for “humanity” as speculation surrounding Jorge’s condition intensified.
The footballer also acknowledged that he was dealing with personal difficulties away from the pitch.
After becoming emotional following a goal against Algeria, the 39-year-old said he had been experiencing “a situation outside of sports”.
He later admitted that he had endured several difficult days but praised Argentina’s delegation and his teammates for supporting him.
Following Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, Messi returned to Rosario to spend time with his family.
Jorge Messi was there from the beginning
For Messi, Jorge was far more than his agent.
He was one of the most important figures in the footballer’s extraordinary journey.
Jorge worked as a metalworker in Rosario while also managing youth teams at local club Grandoli.
He introduced Lionel to football when his son was just four years old, taking him to play on the same makeshift pitches used by other children in the area.
When Barcelona came calling in 2000, the family’s life changed dramatically.
Lionel, then 13, was invited to Spain to continue treatment for a growth hormone deficiency while developing his football career at Barcelona’s youth academy.
Jorge made the difficult decision to leave Argentina and relocate to Spain with his son.
A father who became his son’s agent
The move was emotionally challenging for both father and son.
Messi later recalled how he and Jorge would privately cry during their early days in Barcelona while trying to appear strong in front of each other.
Despite those difficulties, Jorge remained a constant presence as his son’s career exploded.
He eventually became Messi’s agent and played a central role in negotiating the superstar’s major contracts during his spells with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Football world pays tribute
Tributes have poured in from across the football world since news of Jorge Messi’s death emerged.
The clubs associated with Messi have expressed their condolences, while the Spanish Football Federation also sent a message of sympathy to the family.
The Argentine Football Association has also paid tribute to Jorge by ordering a minute of silence before matches and instructing teams across all age groups to wear black armbands throughout the week.
For Messi, the loss marks the passing of the man who helped guide him from a young boy playing football in Rosario to one of the greatest players the sport has ever produced.
