Lionel Messi to remain in Argentina after death of father Jorge

Lionel Messi has decided to remain in Argentina and put his professional commitments with Inter Miami on hold following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, according to Argentine website Doble Amarilla.

The Argentina captain, who was deeply affected by his father’s death, has chosen not to return to the United States for the time being. Instead, he travelled to Argentina to stay with his family during the period of mourning.

Messi is currently in Rosario after the burial ceremony for Jorge Messi, which was held privately and attended by family members and close friends.

There is no confirmed date for when the Inter Miami forward will resume sporting activity. His priority is understood to be spending time with his family and coming to terms with the loss.

He is being supported by his mother and siblings, as well as his wife and children, during the mourning period.

A number of current and former Argentina players have expressed their sadness following Jorge Messi’s death and indicated their desire to support their national-team captain.

However, no Argentina players attended the burial ceremony because the family wanted the proceedings to remain private and limited to relatives and close friends.

Doble Amarilla reports that Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria, along with a number of people close to Messi, intend to visit his home in the coming hours to offer their support.

Messi was absent from Inter Miami’s most recent match, a defeat by Mexican club Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The report does not specify when he will return to the squad or whether he will be available for the club’s next fixture.

His decision to stay in Argentina means Inter Miami are currently without their captain while he deals with the death of his father. The club will therefore have to wait for further information before knowing when Messi can return to training and competitive action.

Jorge Messi played a significant role in his son’s career and was closely involved in the early stages of Lionel Messi’s development as a footballer. For now, though, Messi has stepped away from his professional responsibilities to remain alongside his family in Rosario.

The burial was conducted in accordance with the family’s wishes, and the support from Argentina players has so far been expressed away from the ceremony. Paredes, Otamendi and Di Maria are expected to provide further personal support by visiting Messi at home, while his return to football remains open-ended.