Lionel Messi's family has confirmed the Argentina captain's father is recovering from a health-related issue, following a visibly emotional performance by the Inter Miami forward in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup victory over Algeria.
Messi, 38, opened the scoring and netted a hat-trick in the Group J win, equaling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goals record of 16. The family statement, issued two days after the match, criticized speculation and asked for privacy.
The news comes as Argentina opens its World Cup campaign. Messi admitted he has faced 'difficult days' off the pitch, with his father's condition weighing on him during the tournament.
Argentina will look to build on their strong start when they face their next group stage opponent, with Messi's form a key factor if the defending champions are to advance deep into the knockout rounds.
While the family offered no specific diagnosis, the brief statement emphasized that Messi's father is 'recovering well' and urged fans to respect their privacy during this time.