Lionel Messi bids farewell to father who guided his glittering career

FILE PHOTO: Barcelona's Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi sits in court with his father Jorge Horacio Messi during their trial for tax fraud in Barcelona, Spain, June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Alberto Estevez/Pool/File Photo 10 Aug 2026 04:15AM 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 following a battle with cancer aged 68.The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner touched down on a private flight from Miami late on Saturday with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children.A private ceremony with close family and a few Argentina teammates took place at a cemetery in the town of Perez, adjacent to Rosario, later Sunday.The gates of the town's El Prado cemetery displayed