The family of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has confirmed that his father, Jorge Messi, is receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed health condition, urging the public and media to respect the family’s privacy amid growing speculation.
The statement was released on Thursday after false reports circulated in Argentina claiming that Jorge Messi had died, sparking concern among fans worldwide during the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
According to the family, the 68-year-old is currently under medical observation and is responding positively to treatment. However, no details were provided about the nature of his illness.
“Jorge is going through a health situation,” the family said. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition.”
The update comes days after Lionel Messi appeared emotional following Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening World Cup match. The football superstar scored the first of his three goals in the game, drawing level with German legend Miroslav Klose as the highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.
Speaking after the match, Messi admitted he had been dealing with personal difficulties away from football, explaining that his emotional reaction after scoring was linked to circumstances beyond the sport.
“I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to soccer,” Messi said. “I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.”
The family’s statement strongly criticized the spread of unverified reports about Jorge Messi’s condition, describing the speculation as insensitive during a difficult period.
“At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity,” the statement read. “A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest.”
For decades, Jorge Messi has played a central role in his son’s career. He accompanied the young Lionel Messi to Barcelona in the early 2000s for trials at the club’s famed La Masia academy and later became his representative in major contract negotiations and transfer deals.
Beyond football, he has also overseen various aspects of Messi’s business interests, including image rights, investments, hotels, restaurants, and real estate ventures.
As Argentina continues its World Cup campaign, with a group-stage clash against Austria scheduled for Monday, Messi remains with the national team at its training base in Kansas City while monitoring developments involving his family.
The Messi family said any future updates regarding Jorge Messi’s condition would be communicated through official channels and thanked supporters for their concern and well wishes.
