Lionel Messi’s World Cup tears were caused by a serious health emergency affecting his father Jorge, it can be revealed.
Messi is extremely close to his dad, 68, who also operates as his agent and de facto business manager, overseeing his son’s multi-million dollar empire off the field.
But in recent months, Jorge has been seriously unwell, with details revealed by the Argentine press in the hours after Messi’s rare public display of emotion.
The story came to light on Tuesday night after Messi cried on the pitch in Kansas City, immediately after scoring his first ever World Cup hat-trick to ensure a 3-0 win over Algeria in Argentina’s opening game.
Opening up on the reason for his emotions postgame, he said: ‘No, honestly it’s something completely unrelated to sports. It’s been a few difficult days, complicated.’
Just hours later, journalist Eduardo Feinmann explained the reason for the tears in an interview on Radio Mitre, one of the country’s most listened-to stations.
Lionel Messi broke down in tears after scoring the first of his three goals against Algeria
He was watched by his wife and three children and revealed that he is going through some personal struggles
‘This has to do with his father. His father is not in good health,’ he said. ‘For quite some time now, several months, since last year.
‘And this week there were some situations that slightly worsened his health, and Messi is going through this internal struggle. In other words, like any human being.’
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.
It has been revealed that Messi’s father Jorge has been suffering with a ‘serious’ health issue
Jorge, 68, operates as Messi’s agent and business manager, and the pair are extremely close
It is unclear whether Jorge has more grandchildren than the three given to him by Lionel and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo – Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
In Kansas City on Tuesday night, Messi had the ball in the net four times – his first ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside – and each goal reminded the world that he is still among the very best.
Watched by his wife Antonela and their children, Messi proved that he is in town to add to the World Cup he won in 2022.
Speaking after the game, he added: ‘I had some difficult, complicated days, but I’m grateful to the entire delegation, to all my teammates because they were always by my side, as always, giving me a lot of strength to be okay, and that’s all.’
He did not elaborate on his difficulties but instead spoke of an ‘amazing’ experience on what was his 200th cap for Argentina.
Messi’s childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo has supported him throughout his career
Jorge is still married to Lionel’s mother, Celia Cuccittini, and that has been the case since 1978
Messi drew level with Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup scorer charts, with 16 goals.
‘Like I say, everything I’m experiencing now is amazing. I was lucky enough to achieve all my dreams, at a level, or even more, than I could have reached individually and as part of a team.
‘Today I’m enjoying this, being part of a wonderful group, feeling good, and thankfully, being able to enjoy it on the field the way I’ve always loved to.
‘And honestly, everything I’ve experienced is so much more than I could have imagined when I was a kid.’
