Jorge Messi, the man who discovered Lionel Messi's talent on the vacant lots of Rosario and later steered his son's career from Barcelona to Miami, has died at 68 following a cancer battle. The Argentine legend returned to his homeland on a private flight from Miami late Saturday with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children, remaining close to family as the football world offered condolences. Main Developments A private funeral ceremony is scheduled for Sunday at a cemetery in Perez, a town adjacent to Messi's native Rosario. A few teammates from the Argentine national squad are expected to attend, with the gates of El Prado cemetery already adorned with handwritten fan messages and a large floral wreath. Read also: Zubair's Tekken 8 Triumph Puts Pakistan on Esports Map Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes told journalists after Saturday's match that he needed to coordinate with teammates about attending. Media reports suggest Rodrigo de Paul, a close friend and Inter Miami teammate, would travel to Argentina after scoring in a 2-1 defeat to Monterrey on Saturday, revealing Messi's number 10 jersey beneath his shirt in tribute. The cause of death was not officially disclosed, but local media reported Jorge had been battling cancer. His absence from the World Cup in June had already raised questions, with Messi's family requesting "humanity" from the media during the tournament amid persistent rumors about his father's health. Background Jorge Messi was his son's first coach, managing youth teams at the small local club Grandoli while working as a metalworker in Rosario, 340 km north of Buenos Aires. He introduced Lionel to the game at age four on vacant lots where neighborhood kids played. In 2000, Barcelona invited the then-13-year-old prodigy to Catalonia for growth hormone deficiency treatment. Jorge left behind his job, wife, and three other children to settle in Spain with Lionel, a sacrifice that deeply affected them both. Messi later recalled how both father and son would cry alone in their rooms, pretending to be fine while struggling. Jorge later became his son's agent, negotiating astronomical contracts from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. His absence from the World Cup final against Spain was notable; Messi returned to Rosario immediately afterward to spend days with family. Why It Matters Jorge Messi was not merely a father but the architect of one of football's greatest careers, from discovering talent on dusty lots to negotiating record-breaking deals. His death removes the emotional anchor of a player who has admitted struggling with "a situation outside of sports" during the World Cup. The Argentine Football Association has ordered a minute of silence before matches and black armbands across all age groups for the week, reflecting the national significance of a man who shaped the country's most iconic athlete. What's Next The private ceremony in Perez will proceed with family and select teammates, though details remain fluid as players coordinate travel. Messi's immediate future with Inter Miami and the Argentine national squad may be affected as he grieves, though no official statements have been made about his return to play. Questions about Jorge's health, which had been a subject of speculation since June, now have a somber answer. The football community continues to send tributes from clubs Messi played for and the Spanish Football Federation.