Messi's family says father's health issues caused his World Cup tears

The family of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi said the captain's tears after scoring his first goal against Algeria at the World Cup were linked to his father Jorge Messi's health condition. The family said Jorge Messi has been dealing with health problems for several months and that his condition had recently worsened. In a written statement, the family said Jorge Messi is undergoing a difficult medical process, is receiving medical care and that his condition is progressing positively. They asked that he and his immediate family be regarded as the only reliable source of information about his health and urged the public not to give weight to remarks outside official channels. The statement also called for responsibility, care and humanity during such a period, asking that the father's health not become a subject of speculation and that his privacy be respected. Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann had earlier reported that Jorge Messi had been facing health issues for several months and that his condition had deteriorated in recent days. After the match, Messi had said his tears were not related to his on-field performance, describing the recent period as "tough and a little complicated." No further medical details were immediately disclosed by the family.