Lionel Messi bids farewell to father Jorge in private Rosario ceremony

Argentine football star Lionel Messi, captain of the national team, bid farewell to his father and agent Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 after a long illness, during a ceremony held near the city of Rosario, Argentina, attended by family members and close friends.

Messi returned from the United States with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children to attend the funeral and pay his last respects to his father, who had played a pivotal role in his career from childhood to the peak of global football.

Jorge Messi died late Friday night into Saturday at a clinic in Rosario, the family's hometown, with no official cause of death announced. Argentine media reported that the farewell ceremony concluded on Sunday afternoon, with cars seen leaving El Prado Cemetery in the nearby town of Pérez as security personnel also departed.

Widespread messages of support and sympathy

Fans posted messages of support for the Messi family at the cemetery gates, including "Stay strong, Leo, we love you," alongside floral wreaths. Several of Messi's teammates also expressed their solidarity following the news of his father's passing.

Barcelona paid tribute to the crucial role Jorge Messi played since his son's move to Spain at age 13, while Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes said the presence of national team colleagues would "certainly bring him comfort."