Superstar footballer Lionel Messi has arrived in Argentina to attend the wake and funeral of his late father Jorge, who died in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The national team captain arrived in his hometown of Rosario after travelling on a private jet from the United States, accompanied by his partner, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children, most of whom were dressed in black, journalists observed.
After landing at 8.40pm local time, Messi left in a vehicle escorted by police patrol cars, said officials from the airport.
The funeral will take place on Sunday in a private ceremony at the El Prado Cementerio Parque in the town of Pérez, adjacent to Rosario, according to local municipal sources.
According to reports, the wake and funeral will be a private affair, closed to the public, reserved for family members and those in the superstar’s closest circle.
Police vehicles were stationed outside the cemetery, where some fans gathered to show their support for their idol.
“You know, it's not easy to say goodbye to a father. And even more so... You know the sacrifice he made for him? He left here, from Rosario, when he was little and fought and fought. He managed to achieve what he did,” said local resident Roberto Celudero.
Messi’s father died at 2am local time on Saturday, the Sanatorio Centro said in a statement, adding that “out of respect for the family's privacy, no further details will be provided about the medical circumstances surrounding his death.”
Messi visited his mother, Celia Cuccittini, his siblings Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol, and the rest of his loved ones, after arriving.
Fundamental figure
Jorge Messi was a fundamental figure throughout his famous son's career.
He was his first coach when Lionel played on the potreros, the vacant lots converted into makeshift football pitches, and his only companion during the difficult early years in Barcelona, before becoming his agent and negotiating lucrative contracts.
He was also the person with whom Leo would analyse his performances after every match.
“My father helped me enormously. He is very critical of me. That made me always want to improve,” the Argentine star said in a 2022 interview with DirecTV Sports.
Jorge’s health had also been a cause for concern for the family in recent years.
During the recent 2026 World Cup, reports of his death began circulating, prompting the family to issue a statement denouncing incorrect claims.
Lionel has spoken publicly about his relationship with his father and the importance he held in his personal and professional life on several occasions.
World rallies around Messi
The death of Jorge Messi prompted an outpouring of condolences from the football world.
FC Barcelona, where Lionel built much of his legend, expressed its sorrow and thanked his father for entrusting the club with “the beginnings and the years of greatest splendour” of his son's career.
Argentina's national team, with which Messi won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and reached the finals of Brazil 2014 and North America 2026, also paid tribute to its captain's father.
“Much strength, Leo Messi and family. We are with you during this difficult time,” the Albiceleste said.
Inter Miami, Messi's club since July 2023, held a minute's silence on Saturday night before their Leagues Cup match against Monterrey, while his team-mates wore black armbands.
“The Inter Miami family asks you to stand and join us for a minute's silence in memory of Jorge Messi, father of our captain,” an announcement said over the loudspeakers at Nu Stadium in Miami.
His friend and team-mate for both Inter Miami and Argentina, Rodrigo De Paul, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute before removing his shirt to reveal a Messi shirt underneath.
Travelling companions
Jorge Messi, born in 1958, worked in the metal industry and coached children's teams at Rosario neighbourhood club Grandoli, where he managed his son Lionel from the age of four.
“I remember Jorge as a very simple man, just another of all the fathers who came to watch that age group,” said Adrián Coria, who coached Lionel Messi at Rosario club Newell's Old Boys.
Coria later recalled that when he travelled to Barcelona to join the coaching staff of manager Gerardo Martino. When he arrived, he encountered Jorge and Lionel at the airport.
“They both came over, hugged me and congratulated me on where I had arrived ... he hadn't changed at all,” Coria recalled.
Jorge Messi's life changed dramatically in 2000, when he moved to Spain so that 13-year-old Lionel could join Barcelona and continue treatment for growth hormone deficiency.
He left behind his job and family in Argentina to take on the challenge alongside Lionel, forging the close bond between father and son.
Jorge helped to secure his son's first contract with Barcelona and later accompanied him as his representative at the club, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
– TIMES/AFP/PERFIL/NA
Comments