‘Respect his privacy’: Family make emotional plea as Lionel Messi’s father battles illness
Lionel Messi gestures to the fans after the match against Algeria in Kansas City. (AP photo) Lionel Messi’s family have issued an emotional appeal for privacy and restraint after confirming his father Jorge Messi is receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness as the Argentina captain continues his World Cup campaign.Amid growing speculation and unverified reports circulating in Argentina, the family issued a statement on Thursday urging the media and public to maintain “humanity” and avoid irresponsible reports about Jorge Messi’s health.
Family confirms medical treatment, requests restrictions
Messi’s family confirmed in an official statement that Jorge Messi, 68, is currently under medical supervision and receiving treatment, assuring that his condition is stable and showing signs of improvement.“Jorge is going through a medical situation,” the statement said. “He is currently under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition.”However, the family did not disclose the nature of the illness and stressed the need for confidentiality during this period.“In times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity,” the statement added. “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 statement also acknowledged the support from fans around the world and expressed “sincere gratitude for the affection, respect and concern shown”.
Messi’s emotional revelation after Algeria’s win
The update comes shortly after Messi himself opened up about a difficult personal time following Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in their World Cup opener.The 38-year-old, who equaled Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals with a hat-trick, was visibly emotional after scoring his first goal.“My tears after the first goal? I had difficult days. It was not related to football. And those feelings were because of that,” Messi said. “Thank you to my teammates, coaching staff and delegation for their help.”His comments had already sparked concern among fans, which intensified after fake news about his father’s condition surfaced.
Jorge Messi’s role in his son’s journey
Jorge Messi has played a defining role in shaping his son’s career, both as a guiding figure and as his long-time agent. He accompanied Lionel Messi during his early move to Barcelona’s La Masia academy and later negotiated key contracts with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.As Argentina prepares for their second group game against Austria in Dallas, Messi is staying with the team at their base camp in Kansas City while his family continues to request privacy as Jorge Messi undergoes treatment.“Please respect the privacy and confidentiality of Jorge and his entire family during this process,” the statement concluded.