Lionel Messi bid farewell to his father Jorge, who passed away at 68 after a battle with cancer, with a private ceremony at El Prado cemetery in Rosario. Jorge Messi was his son’s emotional anchor and agent since childhood, playing a crucial role in his glittering career. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner touched down on a private flight from Miami late on Saturday with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children. A private ceremony with close family and a few Argentina teammates took place at the cemetery in the town of Perez, adjacent to Rosario, later Sunday.
The gates of the town’s El Prado cemetery displayed handwritten messages from fans — ‘Stay strong, Leo, we love you’ and ‘Stay strong, Messi family’ — alongside a large floral wreath. Messi’s teammates rallied around their captain following the announcement that Jorge Messi had passed away late Friday at a clinic in Rosario. Jorge Messi was a guiding figure throughout his son’s career, introducing him to the game at the age of four on vacant lots where local kids played. He was a metalworker in Rosario and managed youth teams at the small local club Grandoli.
Jorge Messi’s unusual absence from the World Cup in June had already attracted attention, with local media reporting that he had been suffering from cancer for several months. The cause of death was not disclosed, but his passing has sent a wave of condolences to the Messi family. Carlos and Ana, a couple who travelled from Tres Arroyos, a town south of Buenos Aires, said, ‘We drove 700 kilometres to be here. We wanted to stand by Leo during this time.’
The ceremony was a testament to the close bond between Jorge Messi and his son, with Lionel Messi’s presence a reflection of the significant impact his father had on his life and career. As the football world mourns the loss of Jorge Messi, it’s clear that his legacy will live on through his son’s achievements on the pitch. With a career spanning decades, Lionel Messi has become an icon of the sport, and his father’s guidance played a significant role in his success.
As the news of Jorge Messi’s passing continues to spread, fans and fellow players are taking to social media to express their condolences to the Messi family. The outpouring of support is a reflection of the respect and admiration that Lionel Messi has earned throughout his career, and the significant impact his father had on his life and achievements. With the football world coming together to mourn the loss of Jorge Messi, it’s clear that his memory will live on through the countless lives he touched, both on and off the pitch.
