18/06/2026 19:38 - Deportes
Lionel Messi celebrando emocionado un gol con la camiseta de Argentina en un estadio lleno, con lágrimas en los ojos y gesto de dedicación, iluminación dramática de noche
On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the family of Lionel Messi—Argentina's legendary football captain—released an official communiqué to address growing concerns about the health of his father, Jorge Messi, following a wave of unfounded rumors circulating on social media platforms.
"The Messi family informs that Jorge is going through a health situation. At this moment, he is under medical supervision, recovering and evolving favorably within his current condition."
The statement also conveyed the family's profound distress regarding the spread of unverified information: "Given the versions, rumors, and speculations that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express their deep discomfort at the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter."
For those unfamiliar with Argentine football culture, Jorge Horacio Messi is not only Lionel's father but also his lifelong agent and closest confidant. Born in 1958, Jorge has been instrumental in managing his son's career since the early days in Rosario, Argentina. He famously negotiated Lionel's move to Barcelona at age 13 and has remained his primary advisor throughout his historic career. Their close bond was visible when Jorge was seen celebrating Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar with tears of joy.
The family's statement came two days after Lionel Messi displayed unusual emotion during Argentina's World Cup 2026 opener against Algeria on June 16, 2026, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The 38-year-old captain scored a hat-trick (minutes 16, 59, and 75) and matched Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.
When asked about his emotional celebration, Messi told reporters in the mixed zone: "It's for a reason completely unrelated to sports. I've had difficult, complicated days. I'm grateful to the entire delegation, as always, by my side."
In conversation with former teammate Juan Pablo Sorín (an Argentine football icon from the 2002-2006 era), Messi added: "Honestly, it's for the family above all. Because, well, they're always there, always supporting. Now we're going through a difficult moment."
Notably, Jorge Messi and his wife Celia Cuccittini were absent from the stadium stands during the match—unusual for the supportive parents who rarely miss their son's important games.
Following Messi's emotional post-match comments, social media platforms exploded with speculation. Most disturbingly, false claims about Jorge Messi's death began trending on Twitter (X) and Facebook.
The fact-checking organization Chequeado (Argentina's equivalent of Snopes or PolitiFact) documented that Argentine actress and TV host Florencia Peña incorrectly stated during a broadcast on Luzu TV (a popular Argentine streaming channel) that Jorge Messi had passed away. This misinformation was quickly picked up and amplified online.
Nicolás Occhiato, owner of Luzu TV, issued a public apology: "I want to express that what just happened on air at LUZU outrages me just as it does all of you—it doesn't represent me or what we want to convey through our work. My disagreement is total. An internal review and strong sanction are appropriate because this was an inadmissible error."
Antonela Roccuzzo—Messi's wife since 2017 and childhood sweetheart from Rosario—posted an Instagram story after the match: "How I love youuuuu" ("Cómo te amooooooo"). Messi responded simply: "I love you" ("Los amo"). The couple shares three sons: Thiago (born 2012), Mateo (born 2015), and Ciro (born 2018).
Argentina currently leads Group J with 3 points and a +3 goal difference following their 3-0 victory over Algeria. Upcoming fixtures include:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2026 | Austria | Dallas (AT&T Stadium) |
| June 27, 2026 | Jordan | Dallas (AT&T Stadium) |
Messi will celebrate his 39th birthday on June 24, two days after the Austria match.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
