Argentina football star Lionel Messi has returned home to mourn his father, Jorge Messi, who died aged 68 following a reported battle with cancer.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner arrived in Argentina on a private flight from Miami late on Saturday, accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children.
Messi has since been with close family members ahead of a private funeral ceremony scheduled for Sunday at a cemetery in Pérez, near his hometown of Rosario.
Messages of support from fans were displayed at the entrance to El Prado cemetery, including notes reading, “Stay strong, Leo, we love you” and “Stay strong, Messi family”, alongside a large floral wreath.
Jorge Messi died late on Friday at a clinic in Rosario, prompting tributes from members of the Argentina national team and Messi’s football colleagues.
Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes said the presence of Messi’s teammates would provide support to the Argentina captain during the difficult period.
“It will surely do him good for us to be there,” Paredes told journalists after his team’s match on Saturday.
“I need to speak with a few of my teammates to see if we go now or sometime tomorrow.”
Media reports indicated that Rodrigo de Paul, a close friend of Messi and his Inter Miami team-mate, was also expected to travel to Argentina.
De Paul paid tribute to Messi following Inter Miami’s 2-1 defeat by Monterrey in Miami on Saturday. After scoring his side’s goal, he removed his shirt to reveal a Messi number 10 jersey underneath.
The cause of Jorge Messi’s death has not been officially disclosed, although local media reported that he had been undergoing treatment for cancer.
His absence from the World Cup in June had previously attracted attention.
Jorge Messi played a central role in his son’s career, serving as his agent and one of his closest advisers from the early stages of Messi’s rise in football.
