Messi bids farewell to his father in hometown Rosario

Lionel Messi was seen at El Prado cemetery in Rosario on Sunday, attending a private funeral for his father, Jorge Messi. The longtime agent and father of the football star died at 68 following a prolonged illness.

Messi travelled to Rosario together with his family from their home in Florida. A police motorcade escorted them to the cemetery. Before the burial, a family wake was held, while fans gathered outside the cemetery gates, leaving flowers and messages of support.

A father's role in his son's career

Jorge Messi played a defining part in his son's rise in football. In 2000, he relocated with 13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona so the boy could join the club's youth academy. He later took charge of managing his son's contracts and image rights, remaining his agent for the rest of his career.

Over the weekend, several Argentine football clubs and governing bodies issued tributes to Jorge Messi, acknowledging his contribution to the sport through his son's global success.