Lionel Messi arrives in Rosario to mourn his father Jorge

Lionel Messi, the star of Inter Miami and a World Cup runner-up with Argentina, returned to his hometown of Rosario on Saturday to mourn his father, Jorge Messi. Jorge Messi passed away early Saturday morning at a clinic where he had been admitted due to complications from a long illness.

The football icon arrived on a private jet at Rosario airport around 7:40 PM local time, after departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Escorted by a security detail, Messi was driven to his family's residence in an exclusive Rosario neighborhood.

Jorge Messi, 68, died at 1:00 AM on Saturday at the Clínica Centro in Santa Fe. The family will hold a private and intimate funeral for him on Sunday at the El Prado cemetery, located on the outskirts of Rosario.

Jorge Messi, born in Santa Fe in 1958, played a crucial role in his son Lionel's career. He was instrumental in facilitating Lionel's move to Barcelona, where he became a global superstar. He also served as Lionel's representative and managed the family's finances.