The family of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi released a formal statement on Thursday confirming that his father, Jorge Messi, is currently dealing with an undisclosed health issue.
According to the official release, Jorge is under strict medical supervision and is «recovering and progressing favourably within the condition he presents.» The family opted not to share specific details regarding the exact nature of the illness.
A plea for privacy
In their public address, the family urged both the press and the public to avoid spreading «versions, rumours and speculation» while strongly requesting that their privacy be respected during this challenging period.
They also took the opportunity to thank well-wishers for their ongoing support:
An emotional start to the tournament
This sudden health announcement provides vital context to Lionel Messi’s highly emotional reaction earlier in the week. On Tuesday, following Argentina’s opening victory against Algeria, the captain admitted during a press conference that he had shed tears after scoring his first goal due to experiencing a deeply trying time off the pitch.
Despite his personal worries, the legendary forward continues to rewrite the record books as his nation seeks to defend the world title they claimed in Qatar in 2022.
Recent milestones for the Argentine captain:
- Historic Hat-Trick: Messi scored all three goals in Argentina’s opening victory over Algeria.
- Record-Tying Tally: Those three strikes brought his total World Cup goal tally to 16, officially tying him with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in the history of the competition.
- Unprecedented Longevity: Currently participating in his sixth World Cup, the global superstar is set to celebrate his 39th birthday on 24 June.
