Lionel Messi’s father undergoing treatment for health issues, family says

Family connection comes 2 days aft an affectional Messi wiped distant tears successful Argentina’s World Cup lucifer against Algeria.

Lionel Messi’s ⁠⁠father is ⁠⁠recovering from a wellness contented and “evolving favourably”, his household said successful a ⁠⁠statement.

The household said connected Thursday that Jorge was “under aesculapian follow-up” and asked for privacy. It ⁠⁠did not specify the ⁠⁠nature of the wellness issue.

Speculation astir the wellness of Jorge intensified aft ⁠⁠Lionel wiped distant tears with his garment aft scoring Argentina’s archetypal extremity against Algeria astatine the World Cup past Tuesday.

“My tears aft the archetypal goal? I’ve had immoderate pugnacious days. It wasn’t related to football. And those feelings were due to the fact that of that,” Messi said. “I convey my teammates, the coaching unit and the delegation for helping me.”

The household statement, released by Messi’s media office, came connected the aforesaid time that reports of Jorge’s decease circulated successful Argentina.

“At times similar these, we inquire for responsibility, prudence and humanity,” the household said. “A person’s wellness and the bid of caput of their loved ones should not beryllium the taxable of speculation oregon irresponsible media interest.”

Jorge Messi played a cardinal relation successful his son’s career, acting arsenic his cause and managing his concern affairs disconnected the field.

He accompanied the young Messi to Barcelona successful the aboriginal 2000s for a tryout astatine La Masia, the Spanish club’s younker academy.

His begetter besides negotiated Messi’s contracts with Barcelona and past his transfers to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, portion besides managing his son’s representation rights and respective investments successful existent estate, hotels and restaurants.

In 2016, Messi and his begetter were convicted successful Spain connected taxation evasion charges but avoided situation clip due to the fact that the condemnation was little than 2 years.

While Messi is with his teammates astatine Argentina’s basal campy successful Kansas City awaiting their 2nd radical lucifer against Austria connected Monday successful Dallas, his household expressed their “sincere gratitude for the outpouring of affection, respect and interest received”.

“We petition that the privateness and confidentiality of Jorge and his full household beryllium respected during this process,” the connection said.

Argentina volition proceed their rubric defence with a Group J ‌‌game ‌‌against Austria connected Monday.