DALLAS (AP) — Lionel Messi's father is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness and his family asked the media for “humanity” on Thursday amid rumors about Jorge Messi's health while his son competes at the World Cup.
The family did not specify the illness that the 68-year-old Jorge Messi is suffering from.
“Jorge is going through a health situation,” the Messi family said in a statement. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition.”
The 39-year-old Messi said after Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in the team's opening World Cup match that he was going through a difficult personal situation. He was very emotional after scoring the first of his three goals, which allowed him to equal Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.
“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to soccer. And those feelings were because of that,” Messi said. “I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.”
The family statement, released by Messi’s media office, came on the same day that reports of Jorge Messi’s death circulated in Argentina.
“At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity,” the family said. “A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest.”
The statement said any further developments would be communicated by the family.
Jorge Messi played a key role in his third son’s soccer career, acting as his agent and managing his business affairs off the field.
He accompanied the young Messi to Barcelona in the early 2000s for a tryout at La Masia, the Spanish club’s youth academy.
His father also negotiated Messi's contracts with Barcelona and then his transfers to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, while also managing his son’s image rights and several investments in real estate, hotels and restaurants.
In 2016, Messi and his father were convicted in Spain on tax evasion charges but avoided prison time because the sentence was less than two years.
While Messi is with his teammates at Argentina's base camp in Kansas City awaiting their second group match against Austria on Monday in Dallas, his family expressed their “sincere gratitude for the outpouring of affection, respect and concern received.”
“We request that the privacy and confidentiality of Jorge and his entire family be respected during this process,” the statement said.
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures to fans following the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his third goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, under investigation for alleged betting-related offenses, has received authorization to enter Canada for his nation's World Cup match against Germany, the Ivorian soccer federation said Thursday.
The federation earlier said the 23-year-old Wahi was not going to be able to travel to Canada, but it issued a statement Thursday stating the necessary authorizations had now been obtained.
Wahi started in Monday's 1-0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia. The Elephants play Germany on Saturday in Toronto in their second match of the tournament.
Taous Ait, a spokesperson for Canada’s immigration minister, declined to comment on the case, citing a need for authorization from the individual involved.
The French soccer league said Wednesday that an “unusual amount of bets” were placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a game on May 17 while playing for Nice. The French league was alerted by partners monitoring betting markets about suspicious betting activity concerning Nice’s home game against Metz, which ended in a 0-0 draw and in which Wahi was shown a yellow card.
The French league said it passed that information to police and gambling authorities, as well as the French soccer federation.
Asked whether Wahi was questioned by police, the Marseille prosecutor's office told The Associated Press “a 23-year-old professional football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1 championship, was arrested on May 29, 2026, as part of their investigation."
The office added “the investigation concerns alleged offenses of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering.” The player was questioned while in police custody and was released without being detained.
Wahi’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Ivorian soccer federation said it has not been officially notified “of any judicial or administrative proceedings” concerning Wahi. The soccer body said if “offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him.”
“Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team," it added.
Wahi joined Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January and scored nine goals in 18 games in all competitions, helping the team reach the French Cup final.
The French league season ended May 17. Wahi scored twice less than two weeks later to help Nice stay in the top division, a 4-1 win over Saint-Etienne in the second leg of the promotion-relegation playoffs.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi, right, reacts after missing a chance to score against Ecuador during a World Cup Group E soccer match in Philadelphia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi, center, shoots against Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Philadelphia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, right, makes a save against Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi (12) during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Philadelphia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi (12) and Ecuador's Willian Pacho (6) jump to head the ball during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Philadelphia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi, right, and teammate Nicolas Pepe react after missing a chance to score against Ecuador during a World Cup Group E soccer match in Philadelphia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
