Lionel Messi mourns father's passing in Rosario funeral

Lionel Messi has returned to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, to mourn the loss of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68. The intimate funeral service is being held Sunday in a cemetery in Pérez, a town adjacent to Rosario.

Messi arrived late Saturday with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children on a private flight from the United States. He has been with his family since their arrival. Outside the cemetery, a small gathering of onlookers, police, and journalists have assembled, with some fans leaving floral tributes and messages of support.

Messages like "Fuerza flia (family) Messi" and "Fuerza Messi, te amo siempre" were seen on signs attached to the cemetery gates. Teammates have offered their condolences and support. Midfielder Leandro Paredes stated his intention to visit Messi, and reports indicate Rodrigo de Paul will also travel to Argentina to be with the football star.

While the family has not publicly disclosed the cause of death, local media, including the newspaper Clarín, reported that Jorge Messi had been battling cancer for months. The public became aware of his health struggles during the 2026 World Cup when Messi became emotional after scoring a goal, later alluding to personal issues, which the press linked to his father's condition. The family had confirmed in June that Jorge Messi was under medical supervision.

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Surely it will do him good for us to be there. I will talk to some of my teammates now to see if we go now or tomorrow after noon.