Messi and his family had traveled from Miami on a private plane and were escorted by a police motorcade to a Rosario cemetery, where a private family wake was held before the burial early on Sunday. Messi's father Jorge Messi died Saturday at a hospital in Rosario at age 68.

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell Sunday (Aug 9) to his father Jorge, the global star's emotional anchor and agent since childhood who passed away fol

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell Sunday (Aug 9) to his father Jorge Messi, the global star's emotional anchor and agent since childhood who passed aw

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell Sunday (Aug 9) to his father Jorge Messi, the global star's emotional anchor and agent since childhood who passed aw

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell Sunday (Aug 9) to his father Jorge Messi, the global star's emotional anchor and agent since childhood who passed aw

A private funeral ceremony with a few teammates from the Argentine national squad is scheduled to take place at a cemetery in the town of Perez, adjacent to Rosario, today.

The 68-year-old Jorge, who played a central role in his son's career, died on Saturday morning following an undisclosed illness.

The 68-year-old Jorge, who played a central role in his son's career, died on Saturday morning following an undisclosed illness.