Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina following the death of his father and longtime manager, Jorge Messi, at age 68.

Argentina football captain Lionel Messi arrived in his home country on Saturday following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Jorge, who served as his son's longtime manager and early coach, passed away at a clinic in Rosario on Friday at the age of 68. Reports indicate he had been battling cancer, though an official cause of death was not disclosed.

Family and Funeral Arrangements

Lionel Messi traveled to Argentina on a private flight from Miami, accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children. A private funeral ceremony is scheduled for Sunday at the El Prado cemetery in the town of Perez, located near Rosario. Fans have gathered at the cemetery gates to leave floral wreaths and handwritten messages of support for the Messi family.

Support from Teammates

Members of the Argentine national squad have expressed their intent to support their captain during this time. Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes confirmed plans for teammates to attend the ceremony, while Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, a close friend of Messi, was also expected to travel to Argentina. Following a match on Saturday, De Paul paid tribute to his teammate by revealing a No. 10 jersey after scoring a goal.

Jorge Messi's Role in a Career

Jorge Messi was a central figure in his son's life, having introduced him to football at age 4 while managing youth teams at the Grandoli club in Rosario. In 2000, Jorge moved to Spain with a 13-year-old Lionel to support his treatment for a growth hormone deficiency and his development at Barcelona. Throughout his son's career, Jorge acted as his agent, negotiating contracts for his time at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami.

Official Tributes

The football community has offered condolences, including messages from the Spanish Football Federation and the clubs Messi has represented. The Argentine Football Association has mandated a minute of silence and the wearing of black armbands across all age groups for the coming week.