Lionel Messi Attends Father's Funeral in Rosario

Lionel Messi returned to Argentina to bid a final farewell to his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 after a long illness. The funeral service took place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the private El Prado cemetery on the outskirts of Rosario, Santa Fe province.

The Inter Miami captain traveled from the United States, arriving Saturday night on a private jet. He was accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children. They joined Messi's mother, Celia Cuccittini, and his siblings, Matías, Rodrigo, and María Sol, for the somber occasion. To ensure the family's privacy, the cemetery was closed to the public during the ceremony, though some fans gathered nearby to offer messages of support.

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Jorge was part of our history and also a coach at our club. Here he accompanied the first steps of that little Lionel who later made history in world football.

Rosario and the broader Argentine football community marked the loss with tributes. The mayor of Rosario confirmed local government support for security measures during the service. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) mandated a minute of silence before all professional and youth matches that weekend, with players, referees, and coaches wearing black armbands.

An emotional tribute came from Abanderado Grandoli, the neighborhood club where a young Lionel Messi began his football journey at age four. The club shared a photograph of a young Messi with his father and teammates, acknowledging Jorge's role as a coach and his support for Lionel's early steps. "Jorge was part of our history," the club stated, "and also a coach at our club. Here he accompanied the first steps of that little Lionel who later made history in world football."

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We embrace you tightly, Leo. Thank you, Jorge, for being part of our history.