The statement came two days after an emotional Lionel Messi wiped away tears with his shirt after scoring Argentina's first goal against Algeria at the World Cup. Speculation about Jorge Messi's health increased after that moment.
My tears after the first goal? I've had some tough days. It wasn't related to football. And those feelings were because of that. I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.
Reports of Jorge's death circulated in Argentina on the same day the family issued its update.
At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity. A person's health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest.
Jorge Messi played a key role in his son's career, acting as his agent and managing his business affairs off the field. He accompanied the young Messi to Barcelona in the early 2000s for a tryout at La Masia, the Spanish club's youth academy. He also negotiated Messi's contracts with Barcelona and then his transfers to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, while managing his son's image rights and several investments in real estate, hotels and restaurants.
In 2016, Messi and his father were convicted in Spain on tax evasion charges but avoided prison time because the sentence was less than two years.
While Messi is with his teammates at Argentina's base camp in Kansas City awaiting their second group match against Austria on Monday in Dallas, his family expressed their "sincere gratitude for the outpouring of affection, respect and concern received."
We request that the privacy and confidentiality of Jorge and his entire family be respected during this process.
Argentina will continue their title defence with a Group J game against Austria on Monday.
