Lionel Messi is mourning the loss of the man who was beside him from the very beginning of his remarkable soccer career.
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Messi's father, Jorge Messi, died Friday night at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, following a long illness, the family confirmed to Reuters. He was 68.
Jorge had reportedly spent his final months going between his home and a medical center in Rosario while surrounded by his wife, Celia, and children Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.
Lionel, 39, spent time with his father following the World Cup in North America before eventually returning to Inter Miami. He was expected to fly from Miami to Rosario on Saturday night for a private wake.
Jorge's importance in his son's life went far beyond that of a father watching from the stands.
He was alongside Lionel throughout his career, dating all the way back to his son's early days at Barcelona. Jorge also served as Lionel's representative for several years and remained one of the most important voices in his life.
"I always needed my dad's approval, ever since I was a kid," Messi once said. "After every match, I'd ask him what he thought of how I played."
Messi had offered a glimpse of the difficult circumstances surrounding his family during the World Cup.
After scoring a hat trick against Algeria, Messi broke down in tears while celebrating his first goal. He later told reporters the emotional moment involved "something unrelated to football" and acknowledged that he'd been through "a few difficult, complicated days."
His family later revealed that Jorge was undergoing medical treatment.
Condolences have poured in from across the soccer world following his death, including from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Newell's Old Boys and the Argentine Football Association.
Argentina's soccer governing body announced that a moment of silence would be held at matches throughout the country's divisions, with players, coaches and referees wearing black armbands.
Barcelona also remembered Jorge and thanked him for his role in bringing Lionel to the club where he became one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.
Jorge's remains are expected to be transferred Sunday to a private cemetery near Rosario.
