Lionel Messi Bids Farewell to Father Who Guided His Career
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
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- Argentine football icon Lionel Messi attended the funeral of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at age 68 after a battle with cancer.
- Jorge Messi, who served as his son's agent and emotional anchor since childhood, was laid to rest in a private ceremony near Rosario.
- Fans and teammates offered messages of support to Messi and his family during the difficult time.
Argentina's football legend Lionel Messi bid a final farewell to his father, Jorge Messi, who died at the age of 68 following a battle with cancer. Jorge Messi was not only the global star's father but also his lifelong agent and a constant emotional support.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner traveled from Miami on a private flight with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children to attend a private ceremony. This took place at a cemetery in Perez, a town adjacent to Rosario, on Sunday. Fans expressed their solidarity, leaving handwritten messages of support like "Stay strong, Leo, we love you" and "Stay strong, Messi family" at the cemetery gates, alongside a large floral wreath.
It will surely do him good for us to be there.
Messi's teammates have rallied around him. Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes stated after a match on Saturday, "It will surely do him good for us to be there." Several teammates, including Inter Miami's Rodrigo de Paul, reportedly traveled to Argentina to offer comfort. De Paul even paid tribute after scoring a goal, revealing Messi's number 10 jersey.
He has brought so much joy to this country, now it’s our turn to give a little back and offer him some comfort.
Fans also made significant journeys to show their support. Lucas Blanco, a 15-year-old, traveled from Tres Arroyos, a town south of Buenos Aires, to hang a sign at the cemetery. "He has brought so much joy to this country, now it’s our turn to give a little back and offer him some comfort," Blanco said. A couple, Carlos and Ana, drove 700 kilometers for the same reason.
While the cause of death was not officially disclosed, local media reported Jorge Messi had been suffering from cancer. His absence from the World Cup in June had previously raised concerns, and Messi himself had alluded to dealing with "a situation outside of sports" after scoring a goal. He later acknowledged going through "a few difficult, complicated days," expressing gratitude for his team's support.
I went through a few difficult, complicated days.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Jamaica Observer in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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