Messi family – Lionel Messi’s family said his father, Jorge Messi, is receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, asking the media for “humanity” as rumours circulated during the World Cup.
DALLAS — The night Lionel Messi was expected to focus only on football brought another, heavier reality into the spotlight.
As the 39-year-old Argentine forward prepared for his tournament duties, his family released a statement saying Jorge Messi, who is 68, is under medical observation, recovering and “progressing favourably within his current condition.” The illness was not specified.
“Jorge is going through a health situation,” the Messi family said. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favourably within his current condition.”
The timing landed sharply. On Thursday, as Lionel Messi continued the tournament with Argentina, reports of Jorge Messi’s death circulated in Argentina. In the statement, the family asked for restraint rather than speculation.
“At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity,” the family said. “A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest.”
The appeal arrived the same day Messi looked visibly affected after Argentina’s 3-0 opening World Cup victory over Algeria. After scoring the first of his three goals, he was overwhelmed with emotion. The goal also let him equal Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.
“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to soccer. And those feelings were because of that,” Messi said. “I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.”
The statement said any further developments would be communicated by the family. It also expressed gratitude for the concern being shown.
“We request that the privacy and confidentiality of Jorge and his entire family be respected during this process,” the Messi family said, adding: “We express our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of affection, respect and concern received.”
Off the pitch, Jorge Messi played a central role in his son’s career. He acted as Lionel Messi’s agent and managed his business affairs. Jorge accompanied the young Messi to Barcelona in the early 2000s for a tryout at La Masia. the Spanish club’s youth academy. He also negotiated Messi’s contracts with Barcelona and then his transfers to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. Beyond football. the statement’s details described management of Messi’s image rights alongside investments in real estate. hotels and restaurants.
In 2016, Messi and his father were convicted in Spain on tax evasion charges, but they avoided prison time because the sentence was less than two years.
While Lionel Messi stayed at Argentina’s base camp in Kansas City. awaiting the team’s second group match against Austria on Monday in Dallas. the statement made clear where the family’s focus had shifted—toward his father’s health and the wish that the world give them space as that situation unfolds.
The tournament moves forward on schedule. But the family’s plea was for something that doesn’t depend on a matchday calendar: “humanity,” privacy, and the quiet the sick and their loved ones deserve.
Lionel Messi Jorge Messi Argentina World Cup Algeria Austria Kansas City Dallas family statement medical treatment speculation privacy