By Onyekachi Victoria Philip
Lionel Messi’s family has been hit by tragedy following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68.
Jorge, who had reportedly been battling health problems for some time, died according to multiple Argentine media outlets.
Concerns about his health became public in June after Messi appeared emotional following Argentina’s match against Algeria at the World Cup.
The Inter Miami star later explained that his tears were not related to football, revealing that he had been going through “a few difficult days.”
His emotional moment sparked widespread speculation, with several reports linking it to his father’s health. However, conflicting accounts about Jorge’s condition began circulating, prompting the Messi family to issue a statement.
The family confirmed at the time that Jorge was dealing with health problems, receiving medical supervision and recovering well.
They also expressed concern over the speculation surrounding his condition and appealed to the public and media to respect the family’s privacy.
Messi’s concern for his father was further highlighted in late July when he missed the Major League Soccer All-Star Game, with reports suggesting he had gone to spend time with Jorge. He returned to action a few days later in an MLS match.
Jorge Messi was an important figure in Lionel’s life and career, having been closely involved in the footballer’s journey from his early years in Argentina to global superstardom.
His death at 68 comes after months of concern over his health, leaving Messi and his family to mourn a deeply personal loss.