Messi family bids farewell to father Jorge in private Rosario funeral

Lionel Messi and his family said their final goodbyes to his father, Jorge Messi, at a private funeral in Rosario, Argentina. The ceremony took place at the El Prado private cemetery, with a significant security operation in place to ensure privacy for the grieving family.

Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children arrived on a private jet from the United States on Saturday night. They joined Messi's mother, Celia Cuccittini, and his siblings, Matías, Rodrigo, and María Sol, for the service. The cemetery was closed to visitors from midday to allow the family intimate time for the sepulture.

Outside the cemetery, some fans gathered to leave supportive messages for the football star, with one sign reading, "Fuerza Leo, te amamos." The mayor of Rosario, Pablo Javkin, offered the local government's support to the family during this difficult time.

In tribute to Jorge Messi, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) mandated a minute of silence before all professional and youth matches held over the weekend. Players, coaches, and referees were also required to wear black armbands. Messi's childhood club, Grandoli, where he first learned to play football, shared a nostalgic photo of a young Lionel with his father and teammates, remembering Jorge's involvement as a coach and his support for the star's early steps in the sport.