For now, it is only a possibility. But it is one that has been impossible for football fans to ignore.

Argentina football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell Sunday to his father Jorge, the global star's emotional anchor and agent since childhood who passed away following a battle with cancer aged 68.

After scoring against Monterrey in the Leagues Cup on Saturday, the Argentine midfielder removed his shirt to reveal Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey underneath, dedicating his goal to his close friend and captain.

Lionel Messi has returned to his hometown of Rosario to bid a final farewell to his father, Jorge Messi, who died at the age of 68 on Friday.

Lionel Messi was missing following the death of his father as Inter Miami lost 2-1 to visiting Monterrey on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match.

Jorge had been there for the uncertainty, the loneliness, the criticism, the triumphs and the setbacks.

Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's childhood club Newell's Old Boys announced on Saturday.

The Argentine superstar cancelled out the visitors' early opener in the 11th minute.

Lionel Messi has donated €80,000 to support the reconstruction of Spain's wildfire-ravaged Sierra Oeste region, extending a helping hand to communities devastated by the recent blaze in the Madrid area.

Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia has described the current national team as the greatest in the country's history, saying their record of reaching five finals and winning four sets them apart from every previous generation.

Lionel Messi returned to competitive action for the first time since Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain, but his comeback ended in disappointment as Inter Miami were held to a 2-2 draw by the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer today.

Lionel Messi's post-World Cup break could be coming to an end on Saturday night when Inter Miami host the Columbus Crew.

Casemiro said he was looking forward to playing alongside, rather than against, Messi, after their many battles in the Spanish league clasicos between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Argentina came under scrutiny for their combative approach in the final after Ferran Torres struck in extra time to hand Spain a 1-0 victory and a second World Cup title.

Their contrasting styles helped define one of football's greatest rivalries, with both players setting new standards over nearly two decades while inspiring discussions over different paths to greatness.

Since the 1-0 defeat by Spain in the July 19 final in New Jersey, Messi has spent time with his family in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

The full-back, who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor, produced one of the tournament's most sublime moments in Miami on July 4 when, after gliding past Alexis Mac Allister, he curled a magnificent effort beyond Emiliano Martínez and into the top corner to level the match at 2-2 in extra time.

The Argentina captain attended a Primera C league match between Leones FC -- a club run by his family -- and Central Córdoba on Saturday at the Antonio Di Giacomo Stadium in Arroyo Seco, near his hometown of Rosario, where he is spending time with his family before resuming club duties with Inter Miami.

Luis Suarez converted a penalty in the 81st minute to secure the victory after Miami's Mexico international German Berterame was injured in a sickening clash of heads.

Lionel Messi will not be required to play in next week's Major League Soccer All-Star Game after representing Argentina in the recent World Cup final, the US domestic league said Saturday.