Lionel Messi lands back in Rosario after father Jorge’s death at 68… as Inter Miami teammate pays heartfelt tribute during game
Lionel Messi has returned to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68. Jorge had reportedly been in poor health for several months before his death, which has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the football world for the man who managed much of his son's career and business affairs from an early age.
While Messi flew home to be with his family, one of his Inter Miami teammates paid a heartfelt on-field tribute during a match played in his absence, reflecting the affection Jorge Messi was held in throughout the football community. Further details of funeral arrangements and Messi's return to action with Inter Miami had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
- Lionel Messi's father Jorge has died aged 68
- Messi flew back to his hometown, Rosario, in Argentina
- An Inter Miami teammate paid tribute to Jorge during a game
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Lionel Messi is one of the most decorated footballers in history, having spent most of his career at Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and then to Inter Miami in the United States. He grew up in Rosario, an Argentine city he still considers home and returns to regularly to see family.
His father, Jorge Messi, played a central role in his career from childhood, handling much of the business and management side of his son's football and commercial dealings as Lionel rose to global fame. Because of this long-standing involvement, Jorge was a familiar figure within football circles, well beyond his role as a parent.
Inter Miami is the Major League Soccer club Messi has played for since 2023, and he is widely regarded as its most prominent player. His absence from a recent match, along with a gesture of support from a teammate, reflects the close ties within the squad and the wider football world's response to news of a personal loss in Messi's family.