Lionel Messi arrives in Rosario to mourn his late father Jorge

Lionel Messi, the renowned footballer, has journeyed to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, to pay respects at his late father Jorge's wake and funeral. The Argentine captain made the trip from the United States on a private jet, traveling alongside his partner Antonela Roccuzzo and their children, all clad in black. Upon landing, he was escorted out of the airport in a police-escorted vehicle.

The funeral will be a private event, held on Sunday at El Prado Cementerio Parque in the town of Pérez, adjacent to Rosario. A police presence will be present at the cemetery, as some fans gathered outside to show their support for the idol.

Messi's father, Jorge Messi, played a crucial role in his son's career, serving as his first coach, confidant, and agent during the early years in Barcelona. He also negotiated lucrative contracts and was always ready to analyze his son's performances after each match. Messi has often spoken about his father's significant impact on his personal and professional life.

The football world has shown solidarity with the Messi family, with FC Barcelona and Argentina's national team both paying tribute to Jorge Messi. Inter Miami, Messi's current club, also honored his father by holding a minute's silence during a match. His friend and teammate Rodrigo De Paul even revealed a Messi shirt beneath his own during the game, in tribute to the late father.