Football icon Lionel Messi, visibly heartbroken, joined his family on Sunday, August 9, 2026, to lay his beloved father, Jorge Horacio Messi, to rest at El Prado Cemetery. The news sent shockwaves through the football world, prompting an outpouring of condolences from clubs, federations, and fans globally. Lionel Messi Takes Indefinite Break From Football After Father Jorge Messi's Demise: Report. Outside the cemetery gates, fans gathered to leave heartfelt messages of support for the Messi family, with handwritten notes reading “Stay strong, Leo, we love you” and “Stay strong, Messi family” adorning floral wreaths. The passing of Jorge Messi marks the end of an era for the Messi family and the wider football community.