KANSAS CITY (special envoys).- Lionel Messi monopolizes all the attention. As if the performance he put in on Tuesday in the World Cup debut against Algeria was not enough, with a hat-trick, records and a superlative level, His entourage had to come out to clarify unfounded versions about the health of Jorge, his father.who stayed in Argentina with the captain’s mother and brothers.
These are intense days for the leader of the world champions. After scoring the first goal against Algeria, a few tears fell. He then explained that it was a topic “unrelated to sports.” Although his teammates and coaching staff were aware in the national team’s bunker at the Origin hotel in Kansas City, Messi decided to express his feelings.. And he sent them a message: “They were always by my side and gave me strength to be well.”
Under the sunny sunset at Compass Minerals, the coaching staff, headed by Lionel Scaloni, took the field first. Then it was the turn of the players who on Monday will seek qualification for the second phase of the 2026 World Cup, when they face Austria at the stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Messi left the locker room at 6:00 p.m. (local time), with the last group. Along with him were Lisandro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Nicolás González, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina and “Cuti” Romero.
In the 15 minutes open to the media, he performed physical work with De Paul and Paredes, between smiles and talks, the same humor with which he was seen throughout the preparation in the United States.
As he was able to reconstruct THE NATIONthe captain was upset by the versions that came from Argentina about the health of Jorge, his father. Together with their family they had been keeping a situation in reserve that had not changed in recent days. That’s why the anger.
“Deep discomfort”
The family Messi issued a statement this Thursday. As agreed with the footballer, they made the decision to confront the rumors through their press office.
“The Messi family reports that Jorge is going through a health situation. At this time it is found under medical follow-up, recovering and evolving favorably within the condition he presents. Given the versions, rumors and speculations that have circulated in recent hours, the family wants to express its deep discomfort at the lack of sensitivity, respect and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family situation,” said the Messi family. They also clarified that “Only his closest family has real and accurate information about Jorge’s condition.”
“Therefore, any version, statement or information that does not come from the family itself and its corresponding channels should not be considered valid or truthful. In times like this, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity. “A person’s health and the tranquility of their surroundings should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest,” he added.
And he closed: “We sincerely appreciate the expressions of affection, respect and concern received, and we request that the privacy, confidentiality and intimacy of Jorge and his entire family be preserved during this process. Any relevant news will be communicated in a timely manner by the family and the corresponding channels.”
Morning of rumors
The rumor to which the Messi family alluded with “deep discomfort” exploded during the morning. It started in several WhatsApp groups in Rosario and Buenos Aires. From the first moment, the captain’s mother, Celia, and his brothers tried to maintain peace until the versions escalated to such a level that they finally decided to come out and publish an official statement.
The versions also reached the rainy morning in Kansas City. At the national team’s concentration, at the Origin hotel, only the usual journalistic guard was present. Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez looked out of one of the windows, mate in hand and showing calm. Around 5:00 p.m. (two hours more in Argentina) the team led by Scaloni moved from the Origin hotel to the Compass Minerals to carry out a new practice.
Close to the Messi family, they always tried to keep Jorge Messi’s health situation private. Until the player himself released a first version on Tuesday that led to the statement two days later.
As far as he could know THE NATIONJorge Messi’s health did not worsen. Yes, on Tuesday, the day of Leo’s debut in his sixth World Cup, he had an intervention as a result of the treatment he has been undergoing for a long time, of which it had gone well. That is why in the family environment they complained about the magnitude of the “operation” to which they were subjected and stressed that “it is evolving favorably.”
Celia and the champion’s brothers stayed between Rosario and Buenos Aires to accompany Jorge. That is why on Tuesday at Arrowhead Stadium the traditional postcard, which was repeated in Qatar and in the Copa América in the United States, of the full Messi box was not seen.
Yes, Antonela was there, with her sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. “Let’s go Argentina!!! With you always @leomessi!!!! You are incredible!!”, she wrote after the debut.
Tagliafico had his happy afternoon
The archers came out first. Then, Lautaro Martínez, Giuliano Simeone and Marcos Senesi. Julián Álvarez and José Manuel López appeared further back. And before Lionel Messi appeared on the main field of the Compass Minerals complex, The one who joined the work along with the group was Nicolás Tagliafico. The defender, absent against Algeria due to a strain in his right soleus, put on his boots again with the intention of being available for Monday, when Argentina faces Austria in Dallas.
What could have been the first training session with the entire squad available, however, one absence: Gonzalo Montiel. The full-back, who started in the debut, spent the first part of the day in the gym to manage loads, after having arrived at the World Cup after recovering from a tear.
Thus, the main unknowns facing the match with the Europeans seem to focus on the two full-backs and Messi’s partner in attack: Lautaro Martínez or Julián Álvarez.
