Lionel Messi says goodbye to his father Jorge in a private ceremony in Rosario
Lionel Messi and his family said goodbye to Jorge Messi on Sunday morning in a private ceremony following his death at the age of 68.
Lionel Messi and his family said goodbye to Jorge Messi on Sunday morning in a private ceremony following his death at the age of 68.
The farewell took place at El Prado private cemetery, located outside Rosario in Argentina's Santa Fe province, with security measures in place to protect the family's privacy.
Messi arrived in Rosario on Saturday night alongside his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children after traveling from the United States on a private plane.
He reunited with his mother, Celia Cuccittini, and his siblings Matías, Rodrigo and María Sol for their final farewell to Jorge.
Messages of support for Lionel Messi and his family
The cemetery was closed to visitors from midday in order to provide the family with greater privacy during the ceremony.
Despite the private nature of the farewell, some fans gathered at both Rosario's airport and outside the cemetery to show their support for the Argentine star.
"Stay strong Leo, we love you," read one of the signs placed on the fence outside El Prado.
Rosario mayor Pablo Javkin also offered his condolences to the Messi family and said the local government had made itself available to help protect the privacy of the ceremony.
Argentine soccer pays tribute to Jorge Messi
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) arranged tributes across professional and youth matches played throughout the weekend.
A minute of silence was observed before games, while players, coaching staffs and referees wore black armbands in memory of Jorge Messi.
Lionel Messi's first club remembers his father
Abanderado Grandoli, the neighborhood club in Rosario where Lionel began playing soccer at the age of four, also paid tribute to his father.
The club shared an old photograph featuring Lionel, Jorge and other children posing as a team, along with a message remembering Jorge as part of the institution's history and as a former coach.
"We're sending you a big hug, Leo. Thank you, Jorge, for being part of our history," the club wrote.
Jorge had been there at Grandoli for the first steps of Lionel's soccer journey, long before his son went on to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Jorge died in the early hours of Saturday after being hospitalized at Sanatorio Centro in Rosario due to complications from a long-term illness.
