Lionel Messi Says Goodbye to His Father and Lifelong Guide

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi traveled home to Rosario, Argentina, on August 8 to say goodbye to his father, Jorge Messi, who died after a long battle with cancer. Jorge was 68 years old. He had been more than just a father to Lionel — he was also his first coach and the person who managed his career for decades. The football world shared messages of sadness and support for the Messi family.

Messi flew in on a private plane from Miami late on August 8, bringing his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children with him. He stayed close to family during this painful time. A small, private ceremony was planned for August 9 at a cemetery in the town of Perez, which is located right next to Rosario. Only a few of his Argentine national team teammates were expected to attend.

Fans outside the El Prado cemetery in Perez left handwritten notes on the gates saying things like 'Stay strong, Leo, we love you' and 'Stay strong, Messi family.' A large flower wreath was also placed nearby. These small gestures showed how much people around the world care about Messi and his family. Even strangers felt the weight of this loss.

Jorge Messi had been sick for some time, though the exact illness was not officially announced. Local news reports said he had been suffering from cancer. During the recent World Cup, Jorge was noticeably absent, which made many people wonder about his health. Messi's family had asked the media to treat them with 'humanity' during the tournament because of ongoing rumors about Jorge's condition.

Messi showed his pain during the World Cup when he burst into tears after scoring a goal against Algeria. He later admitted he had been dealing with 'a situation outside of sports.' He said he went through 'a few difficult, complicated days' but was thankful for the support of his teammates and the whole team staff. Right after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain, Messi rushed back to Rosario to spend time with his family.

Jorge Messi's story is one of great sacrifice. He worked as a metalworker in Rosario, a city about 340 kilometers north of Buenos Aires, and coached youth teams at a small local club called Grandoli. He was the one who first introduced young Lionel to soccer at age four, playing on empty lots in their neighborhood. Those early days on the field helped spark one of the greatest soccer careers in history.

Everything changed in 2000 when FC Barcelona invited 13-year-old Lionel to Spain. Barcelona wanted him to continue treatment for a growth hormone deficiency — a medical condition that slowed his physical growth — while also playing for their youth teams. Jorge made the huge decision to leave behind his job, his wife, and his three other children so he could go with Lionel. It was a sacrifice that shaped the rest of both their lives.

The move to a new country was not easy for either of them. Messi once shared that both he and his father used to secretly cry alone in their rooms so the other wouldn't see. 'We pretended we were both fine, but we were struggling,' Messi said. Over time, Jorge became Lionel's official agent and negotiated huge contracts with clubs like Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami. His hard work helped turn his son into one of the wealthiest and most famous athletes on Earth.

Teammates quickly showed their support after hearing the news. Midfielder Leandro Paredes said it would mean a lot to Messi for them to be by his side. Another close friend, Rodrigo de Paul — also a teammate at Inter Miami — was reported to be traveling to Argentina. De Paul had scored a goal in a match just the night before and honored Messi by removing his jersey to reveal Messi's number 10 shirt underneath.

The entire soccer community mourned alongside Messi. The clubs he played for, as well as the Spanish Football Federation, sent messages of sympathy. The Argentine Football Association ordered a minute of silence before all matches and required players across all age groups to wear black armbands for the entire week. Jorge Messi may not have been a famous player himself, but his love and sacrifice helped create the most decorated soccer player the world has ever seen.