Soccer-Messi's father recovering from health issue, family says

Lionel Messi's father, Jorge, is recovering from a health issue, with his family stating the situation is "evolving favourably" but asking for privacy.

Soccer-Messi's father recovering from health issue, family says
Lionel Messi
  • Country:
  • Argentina

​Lionel Messi's father ​is recovering from ‌a health ​issue and "evolving favourably", his family said in a statement on Thursday. ‌Speculation about the health of Jorge Messi intensified after Lionel wiped away tears with his shirt after scoring ‌Argentina's first goal against Algeria at the World Cup. ‌Messi said he was crying for a personal reason not connected with the sport and that he had gone through ⁠difficult ​days.

Messi's family ⁠said Jorge was "under medical follow-up" and asked for privacy. It did ⁠not specify the nature of the health issue. "The health ​of one person and the tranquility of those around ⁠them should not be object of speculation or of irresponsible ⁠media ​interest," the family said.

Messi's father is in a delicate state in a hospital in Argentina, a ⁠source close to the family told Reuters. Argentina will continue ⁠their ⁠title defence with a Group J game against Austria on Monday.

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