Broken-hearted... Messi lays his father to rest in a private funeral in Rosario as tragedy strikes the legend.
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Argentine star Lionel Messi and his family bade farewell to his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68, in a private funeral service held at El Prado Cemetery on the outskirts of Rosario, Santa Fe province. The ceremony was conducted amidst extraordinary security measures and a limited family attendance, giving the family total privacy during these painful moments of farewell.
The Inter Miami star was accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children on Saturday night aboard a private jet from the United States to join his mother, Celia Cuccittini, and his siblings Matias, Rodrigo, and Maria Sol for the funeral service. El Prado park was closed to visitors starting Sunday afternoon to ensure the family's privacy.
A number of fans gathered at Rosario airport and along the cemetery walls to leave banners bearing messages of support and condolences for the Argentine star. One fan hung a banner on the cemetery fence reading, 'Stay strong, Leo, we love you,' in a scene reflecting immense public sympathy for the Argentine national team captain. For his part, the Mayor of Rosario, Pablo Javkin, extended his condolences to the Messi family, confirming that the local government placed itself on full alert to protect the funeral service and secure the family's privacy during these difficult circumstances.
In accordance with directives from the Argentine Football Association (AFA), a minute of silence preceded all weekend matches across professional and youth categories in honor of Jorge Messi, while players, technical staff, and referees wore black armbands in mourning for the Argentine star's father.
Abanderado Grandoli, the local club in Rosario where Messi began his football career, published an old photo featuring the Argentine star and his father alongside other children in the team's lineup, accompanied by a touching message on its social media accounts on Saturday.
It is worth noting that Jorge Messi passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning after being admitted to Sanatorio Centro hospital in Rosario following complications from a long-term illness. He departed our world leaving behind a great legacy embodied in his unlimited support for his son from his first steps on the pitches of Rosario to his World Cup crowning and achievement as the greatest player in history.
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