Lionel Messi’s father is receiving medical treatment, family says | World Cup 2026 news

The family messages come two days after Messi wiped away tears during Argentina’s World Cup match against Algeria.

Lionel Messi’s father is recovering from a health problem and is “going well”, his family said.

The family said Thursday that Jorge was being “under medical supervision” and asked for anonymity. It did not specify the nature of the health problem.

Speculation about Jorge’s health grew after ⁠⁠Lionel wiped away tears with his shirt after scoring Argentina’s first goal against Algeria at the World Cup last Tuesday.

“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had difficult days. It wasn’t about football. And that feeling was because of that,” Messi said. “Thank you to my teammates, coaches and representatives for supporting me.”

The family’s statement, released by Messi’s press office, came on the same day that reports of Jorge’s death spread across Argentina.

“At times like this, we ask for responsibility, wisdom and humanity,” the family said. “A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be a matter of speculation or indiscriminate actions.”

Jorge Messi played an important role in his son’s career, acting as his assistant and managing his business off the field.

He accompanied the young Messi to Barcelona in the early 2000s to try out at La Masia, a Spanish youth academy.

His father also negotiated Messi’s contract with Barcelona and moved to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, as well as overseeing his son’s image rights and several investments in real estate, hotels and restaurants.

In 2016, Messi and his father were convicted in Spain of tax evasion but avoided prison because the sentence was less than two years.

While Messi is with his teammates at the Argentina camp in Kansas City awaiting their second match against Austria on Monday in Dallas, his family expressed their “heartfelt gratitude for the love, respect and concern they have received”.

“We ask that the privacy of Jorge and his entire family be respected at this time,” he said.

Argentina will continue their defense with a Group J game against Austria on Monday.