By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-23 15:22:14 | Updated at 2026-06-24 22:45:05
1 day ago
Lionel Messi's father is hoping to be released from hospital in the 'near future', a report in Argentina has claimed.
The Messi family issued a statement last week explaining Jorge, 68, is undergoing a 'health situation' after his son was seen in tears during Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria.
Messi is extremely close to his dad, who also operates as his agent and de facto business manager, overseeing his son's multi-million dollar empire off the field.
But in recent months, Jorge has been seriously unwell, with details revealed by the Argentine press in the hours after Messi's rare public display of emotion.
However, according to Argentine outlet Paparazzi, Jorge has shown signs of improvement in recent days and is hoping to be out of hospital soon.
The story came to light after Messi cried on the pitch in Kansas City, immediately after scoring his first ever World Cup hat-trick to ensure a 3-0 win over Algeria in Argentina's opening game.
Lionel Messi's father is hoping to be released from hospital in the 'near future', reports claim
The Messi family issued a statement explaining Jorge, 68, is undergoing a 'health situation'
Opening up on the reason for his emotions postgame, he said: 'No, honestly it's something completely unrelated to sports. It's been a few difficult days, complicated.'
Just hours later, journalist Eduardo Feinmann explained the reason for the tears in an interview on Radio Mitre, one of the country's most listened-to stations.
'This has to do with his father. His father is not in good health,' he said. 'For quite some time now, several months, since last year.
'And this week there were some situations that slightly worsened his health, and Messi is going through this internal struggle. In other words, like any human being.'
It has been reported that Jorge suffered a 'medical episode' at his home in January of this year, and he was hospitalized as a result.
In the aftermath, he is said to have undergone cardiovascular and neurological tests, but no official diagnosis has been shared by the family, who have kept Jorge's health out of the media until now.
In the aftermath of last week's statement, a broadcaster in Argentina falsely claimed Jorge had died and had to issue an emotional apology before stepping down from her job.
Lionel is the third of four children of Jorge and his wife Celia Cuccittini, and the pair remain together to this day. They married in 1978 and split their time between Rosario and Miami, where their footballing superstar son currently plays.
Messi's childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo has supported him throughout his career
Before becoming Lionel's agent, Jorge worked for a steel manufacturer in Villa Constitucion, meeting his wife as a young man in Rosario - where the family then grew up.
Messi has two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and a younger sister, Maria Sol.
It comes after Messi broke the World Cup goalscoring record as he scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 Group J win over Austria on Monday night.
A hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening game of the tournament had moved the 38-year-old level with Miroslav Klose’s mark of 16 goals.
During Monday’s game in Dallas, Messi missed an early opportunity to surpass that tally after firing wide from the penalty spot, but he broke the record towards the end of the first half with shot into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Alex Schlager.
Messi struck again in stoppage time to bag his 18th World Cup goal and secure back-to-back wins for Argentina ahead of their final group match against Jordan in the early hours of Sunday morning.
'I'm very happy with the win. It was a very important and hard-fought victory, which gives us peace of mind for what's to come. This is the World Cup; every match is intense and evenly matched. I'm very happy about qualifying,' said Messi.
'I don't really remember. I'm very tired, it's hard for me to think. Right now, I'm enjoying this moment,' he said
More to follow.
