Lionel Messi's father recovering from 'health issue', confirm family

[p]Speculation over the health of 68-year-old Jorge Messi has intensified after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] skipper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Messi[/a] broke down in tears after scoring the first of his three goals in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/algeria-nc87N1BR/argentina-f9OppQjp/?mid=UP9bEsOr"]a 3-0 World Cup victory[/a] over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/algeria/nc87N1BR/"]Algeria[/a] on Tuesday.[/p][p]"[b](Jorge Messi) is currently under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favourably given his condition[/b]," Messi's family said in a statement on Thursday, without giving details of the illness.[/p][p]Messi alluded to his personal situation on Tuesday about his emotional response to his goal against Algeria.[/p][p]"[b]It was a matter unrelated to sports. I went through some difficult and complicated days[/b]," the Argentine star told reporters.[/p][embed guid="9e7540b3-7464-4510-83ff-0f3b7924f271" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2067653899952042464" social-type="twitter" /][p]Jorge Messi serves as his son's agent and is one of his key sources of support.[/p][p]He has accompanied him throughout his career at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psg/CjhkPw0k/"]Paris Saint-Germain[/a], and now [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/inter-miami/0AheRyBg/"]Inter Miami[/a], as well as during his international career with Argentina.[/p][p]In the statement, Messi's family registered its "deep distress regarding the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private family matter".[/p][p]"[b]We ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person's health and the peace of mind of those around them should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention[/b]," the statement said.[/p]