Lionel Messi was in tears after scoring against Algeria at the World Cup, and now we know why. His family has confirmed that his father, Jorge, is dealing with a health issue — the reason behind one of the more emotionally charged moments of this tournament.
The statement, released through family channels, doesn't spell out what the condition is, and it doesn't have to. What it does make clear is that Jorge is "under medical monitoring, recovering and evolving favourably" — which is the most important line in the whole thing.
The family's message to the media
The Messi family didn't hold back on how they feel about the speculation that swirled before they'd even had a chance to speak. "The family wishes to express its deep distress over the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family situation," the statement reads. Hard to argue with that.
They also drew a firm line: only the family's own channels carry reliable information. Anyone else talking about Jorge's condition is, in their words, not to be considered "valid or truthful."
Messi himself, after the 3-0 win, confirmed the emotion was "completely unrelated to football." He then went out and scored twice more. Three goals in total, 16 at World Cups across his career — level with Miroslav Klose for the all-time record.
What comes next on the pitch
Argentina face Austria next Monday in their second group game, and Messi will have a chance to claim the outright World Cup scoring record alone. At 38, this is his sixth World Cup. His first-ever hat-trick at the tournament came in the middle of all of this.
Whatever Messi is carrying off the pitch right now, his family have asked for privacy, space, and "humanity." The football can wait. The record will still be there on Monday.
