Messi in Rosario to bid final farewell to his father

From the glamorous life on the football pitch, Lionel Messi is now facing a completely different and difficult time. Upon receiving news of his father Jorge Messi's death, the Argentine superstar has rushed from the United States to Rosario, Argentina.

Jorge Messi passed away on Friday at the age of 68. He had been ill for a long time. The father played a crucial role in Messi's football career, standing by his son's development from childhood and also serving as his agent for a long period during his professional career.

After his father's death, Messi took leave from Inter Miami and left Fort Lauderdale for Argentina on Saturday morning. After a long journey, the 39-year-old footballer arrived in his hometown Rosario at night local time. He is spending time with family members and preparing for his father's final farewell.

Jorge Messi's funeral is expected to be held privately. Though the ceremony is likely to be small in scale, fans gathered around the cemetery in Rosario after news of Messi's father's death spread, showing support for their beloved star during this difficult time.

The name Jorge Messi is deeply intertwined with Lionel Messi's football career. Even after joining Barcelona's La Masia academy at just 13 years old, his father played a crucial role in Messi's major career decisions.

Jorge was one of the key figures in fulfilling his son's dreams. Along with handling Messi's professional matters off the pitch, he remained by his side during important times in his football career.

During the 2026 World Cup, Jorge Messi's illness had come to light. The family had informed that he was undergoing treatment at the time. Messi's emotional reactions after scoring at the World Cup were also linked to his father's illness.

However, Messi did not speak publicly about his father's illness during the World Cup. While he fulfilled his duties on the pitch, the personal worry affected him, as was evident in his emotions and behaviour at various times.

Following Jorge Messi's death, Lionel Messi has been granted leave by Inter Miami. He was scheduled to play against Monterrey in the Leagues Cup group stage, but was ultimately not included in the squad.

The club does not want to put any pressure on Messi during this difficult time. Condolence messages for Messi and his family have been pouring in from across the football world.

Various quarters, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Argentine clubs, and Rosario's traditional clubs Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys, have expressed their sympathies to the Messi family.

Rosario is not only Messi's birthplace but also the city where his football roots lie—where his journey began in childhood. He has now returned to that same Rosario to bid his final farewell to the closest person in his life, his father.

For Messi, who has overcome countless difficult moments on the pitch, this grief of losing his father is entirely different. There is no match, no goal, no trophy battle now—only family, memories, and the pain of saying goodbye to a beloved father for the last time.