Lionel Messi has returned to his hometown of Rosario following the death of his father, Jorge.
Messi missed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup clash with Monterrey to fly back to Argentina where, according to reports in South America, the 39-year-old will attend a private memorial service.
Jorge Messi – who also served as his son’s agent and business manager – died at the age of 68, two months on from the family revealing he had been rushed to hospital with an ongoing ‘health situation’.
He reportedly passed away in a hospital in Rosario, close to the family home, at around 10pm local time on Friday August 7.
In the absence of their captain, Inter Miami players honored Jorge Messi by wearing black armbands, while fans paused for a moment of silence before kickoff. Earlier on Saturday, the team had posted a tribute which read: ‘Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.’
Against Monterrey, stand-in captain Rodrigo De Paul – Messi’s international teammate – scored the opening goal and then pulled off his jersey to reveal another which read: ‘Messi 10.’ Unfortunately for Inter Miami, Monterrey scored late on to snatch a 2-1 win.
Lionel Messi has returned to his hometown of Rosario following the death of his father, Jorge
The soccer legend’s father, pictured at the 2022 World Cup final, died at the age of 68
Rodrigo De Paul paid tribute to the Inter Miami captain during Saturday’s clash with Monterrey
In the first official statement, Messi’s first team Newell’s Old Boys wrote in Spanish: ‘Club Atletico Newell’s Old Boys bids farewell with deep sorrow and grief to Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in the city of Rosario.’
The club continued: ‘Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.
‘His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory. Thank you for teaching him to love these colors.’
Later on Saturday, both Barcelona and the Argentina national team added their own tributes.
‘Stay strong, Leo Messi and family. We are with you in this difficult moment. We send you our most heartfelt embrace,’ Argentina wrote on X.
A spokesperson for FC Barcelona, meanwhile, said in a statement: ‘The President and the Board of Directors of FC Barcelona express their deepest condolences on the passing of Jorge Messi, the father of former Barca player and legend Lionel Messi, and, on behalf of the entire Barca family, extend their condolences to the Messi family.
‘FC Barcelona thanks Jorge Messi for his commitment to our Club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career. May he rest in peace.’
