Lionel Messi bids farewell to father who guided his glittering career

Argentina's football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell to his father, Jorge Messi, who died Sunday at the age of 68 following a battle with cancer. Jorge Messi, who served as his son's agent and a constant presence throughout his illustrious career, was described as the global star's emotional anchor.

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It will surely do him good for us to be there.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to Argentina on a private flight from Miami with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children. A private ceremony attended by close family and several Argentina teammates took place at a cemetery in Perez, a town adjacent to Rosario.

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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 gathered outside the El Prado cemetery, displaying handwritten messages of support such as "Stay strong, Leo, we love you." Fifteen-year-old Lucas Blanco, who traveled 700 kilometers with his parents, expressed the nation's gratitude: "He has brought so much joy to this country, now it's our turn to give a little back and offer him some comfort."

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We drove 700 kilometres to be here. We wanted to stand by Leo during this time.

Jorge Messi's health had been a subject of speculation, with his absence from the World Cup in June drawing attention. Lionel Messi had previously acknowledged dealing with "a situation outside of sports" and expressed gratitude for his teammates' support during difficult times. His father's passing marks the end of a significant chapter for the football legend, who relied on his father's guidance from his earliest days.

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I went through a few difficult, complicated days.