Father's Death: Messi travels to Argentina for his father's funeral

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has traveled from Miami to his hometown of Rosario to attend the private funeral of his father, Jorge Messi. The private jet carrying the superstar, his wife, and their three children landed late Tuesday night, according to local media reports.

The Messi family proceeded directly to the El Prado cemetery for the private ceremony. Jorge Messi, who served as his son's primary advisor throughout his illustrious career, died Tuesday at the age of 68. Details regarding the specific health issues that led to his death have not been publicly disclosed, though the family had previously announced in June during the World Cup that Jorge Messi was ill.

Jorge Messi was instrumental in shaping his son's career from its inception. He was the one who brought a young Lionel to FC Barcelona, where the player spent over two decades before moving to Inter Miami. Jorge managed his son's contracts, endorsements, and overall career trajectory, playing a crucial role in navigating the complexities of professional football.

Lionel Messi had recently returned to the United States on July 29th after spending more than a week in Argentina following Argentina's loss to Spain in the recent World Cup final. His current trip underscores the profound personal impact of his father's passing, bringing him back to his roots during a time of grief.