Messi's grandfather Antonio passes away in Argentina LaLiga - Barcelona At a hospital in Rosario

Lionel Messi and his family are mourning this Saturday the death of the player's grandfather - on his mother's side - Antonio Cuccittini.

Having fallen ill, he was admitted to a hospital in Rosario and later passed away.

He was 80 years of age.

With Antonio's wife Celia having died some years ago, he lived alone in his home in the Argentine city.

Both of Messi's maternal grandparents were very important during the early stages of his footballing career, as they took him along to the local sports clubs to play football.