Lionel Messi and family bid farewell to father at private Rosario burial | OneFootball

Lionel Messi and his family said their final goodbyes to his father, Jorge Messi, 68, at a private ceremony at El Prado cemetery on the outskirts of Rosario on Sunday morning, with tight security in place.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Inter Miami forward flew in by private jet from the United States on Saturday night with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children, joining his mother, Celia Cuccittini, and siblings Matías, Rodrigo and María Sol. The cemetery was closed to visitors from midday to give the family privacy.

Supporters gathered at the Rosario airport and at El Prado to leave messages of support, including one that read "Fuerza Leo, te amamos".

Rosario mayor Pablo Javkin offered his condolences to the Messi family and said the city stood ready to protect the farewell ceremony.

A minute’s silence preceded all professional and youth matches this weekend, and players, coaching staff and referees wore black armbands.

Abanderado Grandoli, the neighbourhood club where Lionel Messi first played, posted an old team photo and a message noting that Jorge Messi had been part of the club’s history and coached there, accompanying the first steps of a young Lionel.

Jorge Messi died in the early hours of Saturday after being treated at Sanatorio Centro de Rosario for complications of a long illness.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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