Rodrigo de Paul shows support for Lionel Messi with emotional goal tribute following death of Argentina legend’s dad

RODRIGO DE PAUL showed solidarity with Lionel Messi by paying an emotional tribute to his late father. Messi‘s dad and agent, Jorge, sadly passed away at the age of 86 in the early hours of Saturday morning. Rodrigo De Paul paid tribute to the passing of Jorge Messi, his friend Lionel’s dad Credit: Getty Jorge, who was Messi’s agent since he was a teenager died aged 86 in Rosario, Argentina, Credit: Instagram @jorge.sole He had been battling a long illness and died in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Following the tragic news, Messi missed Inter Miami‘s Leagues Cup defeat by Monterrey. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The David Beckham-owned club paid tribute with a minute’s silence before kick-off, while players also wore black armbands and Jorge’s name was shown on screens at Nu Stadium. But international and Inter team-mate De Paul added his own heartfelt homage to his close friend. After scoring the game’s opening goal from range, the 32-year-old took off his shirt and revealed a second Inter Miami shirt with Messi’s name on the back. He pointed towards it on his back and swivelled to show it to fans around the ground. Luis Suarez was missing the game through suspension, but paid his own tribute to his former Barcelona team-mate by saying Jorge would continue to watch over his son “with pride, as he always did”. Fans also displayed banners with poignant messages to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Most read in Sport The club added: “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family,” while also adding a black ribbon to their social media pages. Jorge played a huge role in convincing Barcelona to sign Messi during a trip to Spain when the would-be football great was just 13 years old. Messi signed for Barcelona at the age of 14, and went on to become the most decorated player of all time. His list of trophies with the club include 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Reys and three Club World Cups, as well as winning six of his eight Ballon d’Or trophies there. Top football travel deals Comment now