Within a few hours, speculations on the health issue Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi's father, emerge immediately. Out of silence, The Messi Family released a statement responds to this rumor.
The Messi Family Statement(in English):
The Messi family wishes to inform the public that Jorge is currently experiencing health issues.
He is under medical monitoring at present, and is recovering well with steady progress given his current condition.
In response to the various claims, rumors and speculations that have circulated over the past few hours, the family wishes to express its strong dissatisfaction with the lack of sensitivity, respect and conscience shown by certain parties in handling this purely private family matter.
Furthermore, the family wishes to clarify that only immediate family members hold true and accurate information regarding Jorge's condition. Therefore, any claim, statement or information not originating from the family itself and its official channels shall not be deemed valid or authentic.
At a time like this, we call on everyone to act with responsibility, prudence and humanity. A person's health and the peace of those close to them should not become the subject of exploitation or irresponsible media attention.
We sincerely thank everyone for all the care, respect and concern we have received, and request that the privacy, confidentiality and personal sanctity of Jorge and his entire family be protected throughout this process.
Any relevant new developments will be promptly communicated by the family through its official channels.
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.
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.
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.