Messi’s family says that Lionel Messi’s father is undergoing treatment due to health problems World Cup 2026 news
The family’s statement comes two days after Messi wiped away his tears during Argentina’s World Cup match against Algeria.
Published on June 18, 2026
Lionel Messi’s father is recovering from a health problem and “developing positively,” his family said in a statement.
The family said Thursday that Jorge was “under medical follow-up” and asked for privacy. He did not specify the nature of the health problem.
Speculation increased about Jorge’s health after Lionel wiped away his tears with his shirt after scoring Argentina’s first goal against Algeria in the World Cup last Tuesday.
Messi said: “My tears after the first goal? I went through difficult days. It was not related to football. Those feelings were because of that.” “I thank my colleagues, the technical staff and the delegation for helping me.”
The family’s statement, issued by Messi’s media office, came on the same day that reports spread of Jorge’s death in Argentina.
“In times like these, 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 the subject of irresponsible speculation or media attention.”
Jorge Messi played a key role in his son’s career, acting as his agent and managing his business affairs off the pitch.
Messi accompanied the youngster to Barcelona in the early 2000s for a trial at La Masia, the Spanish club’s youth academy.
His father also negotiated Messi’s contracts with Barcelona and then his transfers to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, while also managing his son’s image rights and numerous investments in real estate, hotels and restaurants.
In 2016, Messi and his father were convicted in Spain on tax evasion charges, but they avoided prison time because the sentence was less than two years.
While Messi was with his teammates at Argentina’s base camp in Kansas City awaiting their second group match against Austria on Monday in Dallas, his family expressed their “sincere gratitude for the outpouring of affection, respect and attention he has received.”
“We ask that the privacy and confidentiality of Jorge and his entire family be respected during this process,” the statement read.
Argentina will continue its title defense campaign with a Group 10 match against Austria on Monday.
