Lionel Messi arrived in Rosario to say goodbye to his father, Jorge

Lionel Messi returned this Saturday, August 8, to Rosario after learning of the death of his father, Jorge Messi. The footballer arrived around 8:45 PM at the Rosario International Airport “Islas Malvinas,” coming from the United States, to be with his family during this time.

According to the Sanatorio Centro de Rosario, Jorge Messi passed away at 2 AM this Saturday at the age of 68. After hearing the news, Lionel Messi embarked on the journey to his hometown on a private flight that departed in the morning from Fort Lauderdale.

The farewell for Jorge Messi will be in Rosario

The ceremony is taking place at the El Prado Park Cemetery, where family and close friends are participating in an intimate and private farewell.

The arrival of the Argentine captain occurred just a few weeks after his previous stay in Rosario. Messi had returned to the country on Tuesday, July 21, shortly after playing with the Argentine National Team in the final of the World Cup in the United States against Spain.

During those days, the forward mainly stayed at his house located on the outskirts of Rosario and kept a low profile, with few public appearances.

The last public appearance of Messi in Rosario

The only public appearance recorded during that stay occurred on Saturday, July 25. Messi attended with his children the Antonio Di Giacomo Stadium, belonging to the Club Atlético Unión de Arroyo Seco and used as a home venue by Leones FC.

The footballer watched from the stands the match corresponding to date 21 of the Primera C, in which Leones FC lost to Central Córdoba.

The club also has a strong family connection with the Messis: its president is Matías Messi, brother of the Argentine captain, while María Sol Messi, the footballer's younger sister, is part of the board as a substitute member. Tomás Matías, Lionel's nephew, also forms part of the management structure as a substitute auditor.

After that brief appearance, Messi returned to the United States to continue with his professional commitments.