Leonel Messi’s family issued a statement this Thursday (18) in an attempt to put an end to speculation about the health of the Argentine player’s father, who cried after scoring his first goal in this World Cup, during Tuesday’s game (16) against Algeria.
“The Messi family informs that Jorge has a health problem. He is under medical supervision, recovering and evolving favorably”, says the note.
“In light of the news, rumors and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep dissatisfaction with the lack of sensitivity, respect and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter.”
The statement does not mention the health problem of Jorge Messi, who is 68 years old and is the main manager of his son’s career. Versions circulating in the Argentine press also do not help to clarify what is happening — according to the Clarín newspaper, he was admitted to a hospital in Rosario in the last few hours; La Nacion, in turn, says that the businessman underwent a clinical intervention on Tuesday, but that his health condition did not worsen.
The family usually keeps a low profile regarding the issue, but a statement from Messi at Argentina’s debut in the tournament brought the spotlight back to the situation.
“Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I’ve been through some difficult days,” he said when talking about the tears after the first of three goals he scored in the match. “But I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to get through this.”
The following day, the Reuters news agency stated that a person close to the family said that Jorge was facing health problems.
“The family wishes to clarify that only his closest family members have accurate and reliable information about Jorge’s health status. Therefore, any version, statement or information that does not come from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or true,” said the family in this Thursday’s statement. “A person’s health and the tranquility of their environment should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest.”
The Argentine team faces Austria next Monday (22).
