Lionel Messi bids farewell to his late father in Rosario

Lionel Messi privately mourned his father, Jorge Messi, in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. The 68-year-old, who was a significant emotional pillar and representative for the football icon, passed away on Saturday.

The funeral took place at a cemetery in Pérez, a town bordering Rosario. The ceremony concluded around midday, under tight security and with limited access for family and close friends. Journalists from AFP observed that security measures began to ease after the service.

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I came yesterday too, at night, I made him this sign because I must know how it feels to lose a loved one.

Messi, accompanied by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children, arrived from the United States on Saturday night. He has remained with his family in Rosario since his father's death. Local media reported that Messi returned to his residence on the outskirts of Rosario after the burial.

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We traveled 700 kilometers to be here, we wanted to accompany Leo at this moment.

Fans gathered near the cemetery, some holding signs with messages of support like "Fuerza Messi." One 15-year-old fan, Lucas Blanco, brought a handmade sign reading "Fuerza Messi" to place at the cemetery gates. While the family has not disclosed the cause of death, Argentine newspaper Clarín reported that Jorge Messi had been battling cancer and had been hospitalized for several months, including during the 2026 World Cup.

The health of Jorge Messi became a public concern during the North American World Cup, when Lionel Messi was seen crying after scoring a goal against Algeria, a moment widely linked to his father's condition. Following the tournament, Messi traveled to Rosario to be with his father.

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We thought there would be a lot of people.