Lionel Messi mourns father in intimate Rosario ceremony

Lionel Messi said goodbye to his father, Jorge Messi, on Sunday morning at the private El Prado cemetery on the outskirts of Rosario, Santa Fe, accompanied by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children in an intimate ceremony in the city.

Intimate farewell under tight security

En Rosario the ceremony was kept private and a significant security operation was deployed to protect the family. La ceremony was attended only by close relatives, ensuring a calm environment despite the public interest. The security presence aimed to preserve the dignity of the moment.

Messi arrived on Saturday night from Estados Unidos aboard a private jet, travelling with his Inter Miami teammates and family. The flight from the United States underscored the importance of his presence for the funeral. His arrival was noted by local media as a sign of his commitment to his family.

Family, fans and football community respond

At El Prado Messi was joined by his mother Celia Cuccittini and his siblings Matías, Rodrigo and María Sol, who all took part in the burial rites. The family gathered to pay their respects, reflecting the close bond they shared with Jorge. Their presence highlighted the personal loss beyond the football world.

Following the service, the cemetery remained closed to visitors from midday to guarantee privacy for the relatives. Fans gathered near the Rosario airport and the cemetery, displaying signs such as “Fuerza Leo, te amamos” to show support. The public’s respectful gestures were noted by local officials.

The Argentine Football Association and the national team staff sent tribute wreaths, and all professional and youth matches across the country observed a minute of silence. Players, coaches and referees wore black wristbands as a mark of respect. These gestures demonstrated the football community’s solidarity with Messi.

Rosario’s mayor Pablo Javkin offered condolences and pledged municipal assistance for the ceremony’s security. The local club Abanderado Grandoli, where Messi first played at age four, posted a historic photo of young Lionel with his father and honored Jorge’s role in his early development. The club’s messages emphasized the lasting impact of Jorge on Messi’s career.

Jorge Messi passed away in the early hours of Saturday at age 68 after a prolonged illness while hospitalized at the Sanatorio Centro de Rosario. The world now wonders EN LA future of MESSI after this loss, as he decides whether to stay in Argentina or return to Miami for Inter Miami training.