All posts tagged: Messis

Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, died at 68

Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, died at 68

Published by Daniella Wilson

International soccer star Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has died at 68 at a hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. HELLO! has reached out to Lionel’s representatives for comment. News of his passing was confirmed on Saturday after Jorge battled a prolonged illness. Newell’s Old Boys, a soccer club in Rosario, announced his death on social media, saying: “Jorge was the pillar and the person who, with vision, rigour and affection, supported the career of the best player of all time, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittin.” While Lionel, 39, has yet to comment on the tragic news, he and his family kept his illness quiet. But during the 2026 World Cup, Lionel couldn’t hide his emotions over his father’s illness. The player became visibly emotional after scoring in Argentina’s first game against Algeria. © Getty Images Lionel and his dad in 2025 “Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football,” the Inter Miami player said after the game. “I went through some difficult days, but I’m grateful to the entire delegation and …

Messi’s Argentina Away Jersey is 40% off: Deal of the Day

Messi’s Argentina Away Jersey is 40% off: Deal of the Day

Published by Sam Flores

The FIFA World Cup may be over, but right now is the perfect time to take advantage of deals on jerseys, collectibles and other FIFA merchandise — including bestsellers like Lionel Messi’s famous Argentina jersey. Retailers like World Soccer Shop and the FIFA Store are offering up to 50% off gear from your favorite teams, and other World Cup memorabilia — but don’t sleep on this deal, because things are selling fast. Below, I’ve rounded up some of the best deals to shop, including stickers, scarves, jerseys and more. Be sure to use the promo codes to really save big on this popular apparel. Lionel Messi is one of the most decorated footballers in history, and this jersey represents what may be his last World Cup appearance. The pattern mixes curved, leafy designs of blue and white with a dark base and includes his signature number 10 on the back. This top is a fan t-shirt version of France’s official jersey, and includes the same zig-zag design and bronze emblem on the chest. It’s made …

Lionel Messi’s emotional tears after likely final World Cup leave fans heartbroken

Lionel Messi’s emotional tears after likely final World Cup leave fans heartbroken

Published by Daniella Wilson

Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion after Argentina’s World Cup dream came to a heartbreaking end on Sunday, with the football legend breaking down in tears following Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory in New Jersey. In what is widely expected to be the 39-year-old’s final appearance at a FIFA World Cup, the Argentina captain struggled to inspire his side before being left devastated as Spain lifted football’s biggest prize. The emotional scenes unfolded after the final whistle at MetLife Stadium, where an estimated 1.7 billion people around the world watched the dramatic showdown. As soon as the referee brought the match to an end, Messi sank to the turf, covering his face with his hands as the magnitude of the moment became clear. © FIFA via Getty ImagesLionel Messi shows dejection after the team’s 0-1 defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Teammates and opponents attempted to console the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, but the emotion was evident as he contemplated what is likely to be the final chapter of his remarkable World Cup journey. …

Lionel Messi’s Final World Cup—and the Death of Early Retirement

Lionel Messi’s Final World Cup—and the Death of Early Retirement

Published by skeptic

Mere moments after Argentina lost to France in a Round of 16 match during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, commentators were already predicting it would be his final time on a World Cup pitch. “This was Lionel Messi’s final World Cup match, surely,” one stated, “and maybe his final game for his country.” Messi was 31 at the time, and many assumed they had just watched his last appearance on soccer’s biggest stage. They were wrong. Instead, Messi came back four years later to lift the trophy in Qatar. Then he came back again this year at 39. However, Messi is not the exception any more. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has said that this World Cup will be his last after Portugal’s Round of 16 exit following the team’s loss to Spain. Brazil’s Neymar, 34, too, announced his retirement from international football, as did Germany’s Manuel Neuer, 40. Meanwhile, Guillermo Ochoa, who turned 41 this month, is stepping away from professional football after becoming the first goalkeeper to make six World Cup squads. Even as …

At the World Cup, Messi’s quiet leadership outshines MAGA’s noise

At the World Cup, Messi’s quiet leadership outshines MAGA’s noise

Published by Sam Flores

The most-watched man in America right now is a 39-year-old from Rosario, Argentina, who barely raises his voice. The World Cup is here, on our own soil for the first time — the United States, Canada and Mexico — and Lionel Messi is playing as the defending champion in his sixth tournament. He does not trash talk. He does not pound his chest. He leads from behind, they say, which is a polite way of saying he lets the ball and the trophies do the talking.  Messi has won the thing men spend their whole lives arguing about, eight Ballon d’Ors, a World Cup, more or less every honor the game can hand a person, and he has done it while looking, most of the time, like a shy man who would rather be home. He is the best argument I know against everything the U.S. is currently trying to sell boys about what a man is. Because at the same moment, on the same screens, a truck company is selling the opposite. Ram Trucks …

TV host in Argentina quits after falsely reporting that Lionel Messi’s dad died

TV host in Argentina quits after falsely reporting that Lionel Messi’s dad died

Published by Sam Flores

A TV host in Argentina resigned from her role on a popular streaming show after falsely reporting that Lionel Messi’s father had died amid his son’s run in the World Cup, an error she later blamed on unverified information fed to her through an earpiece. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Florencia Peña, the now-former host of “El Show del Verano” on Luzu TV, announced her exit Thursday on social media. “I accept that I am partly to blame for this mistake, and that is why I decided to step aside and end my participation on Luzu,” Peña wrote on X in Spanish. “I offer my heartfelt apologies—I was wrong.” According to Peña, a producer relayed the false information to her through an earpiece during a live broadcast. She trusted the information and repeated it on air. “I apologize to the Messi family for the terrible ordeal I can only imagine they are going through. I am deeply ashamed to have been the source of this …

Lionel Messi’s father rushed to hospital amid star’s World Cup campaign

Lionel Messi’s father rushed to hospital amid star’s World Cup campaign

Published by Daniella Wilson

Lionel Messi’s father has been hospitalized amid the Argentinian legend’s FIFA World Cup campaign, with the star breaking down on the field over concerns for his family. Jorge Messi, 68, is currently receiving medical treatment for a condition the family have preferred to keep private, as they shared in a statement. “Jorge is going through a health situation,” they explained. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition.” The family condemned the spreading rumors that claimed Jorge had already passed away, and asked fans to avoid speculating about his condition.  “Given the versions, rumors, and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep displeasure at the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter,” the statement read. © Getty ImagesJorge has been hospitalized amid a health battle “The family also wishes to clarify that only his closest family members have accurate and reliable information about Jorge’s condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come from the family itself and its …

Lionel Messi’s father undergoing treatment for health issues, family says | World Cup 2026 News

Lionel Messi’s father undergoing treatment for health issues, family says | World Cup 2026 News

Published by Sam Flores

Family statement comes two days after an emotional Messi wiped away tears in Argentina’s World Cup match against Algeria. By Reuters and The Associated Press Published On 18 Jun 202618 Jun 2026 Lionel Messi’s ⁠⁠father is ⁠⁠recovering from a health issue and “evolving favourably”, his family said in a ⁠⁠statement. The family said on Thursday that Jorge was “under medical follow-up” and asked for privacy. It ⁠⁠did not specify the ⁠⁠nature of the health issue. Speculation about the health of Jorge intensified after ⁠⁠Lionel wiped away tears with his shirt after scoring Argentina’s first goal against Algeria at the World Cup last Tuesday. “My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to football. 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’s death circulated in Argentina. “At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity,” the family …

Messi’s hat trick caps day of stars

Messi’s hat trick caps day of stars

Published by Sam Flores

Lionel Messi tied the World Cup’s career scoring record with a stunning hat trick in Argentina’s opening game against Algeria last night. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Messi, who will celebrate his 39th birthday next week, put to rest any questions about whether he could help his country win back-to-back titles after recently recovering from a hamstring injury. Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Argentina’s first goal during its World Cup match against Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday.Maja Hitij / FIFA via Getty Images Scoring all the goals in a 3-0 win, Messi tied Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the tournament’s career scoring record, which stands at 16 goals. The Inter Miami goal machine netted his first in the opening minutes. His second was a rebound shortly after halftime. The third came moments before he was subbed to a standing ovation. Messi made his World Cup debut 20 years ago when he scored against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. He is now the first player to …

Toronto draw record crowd against Messi’s Inter Miami in World Cup dress rehearsal

Toronto draw record crowd against Messi’s Inter Miami in World Cup dress rehearsal

Published by Sam Flores

TORONTO, May 9 : Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC attracted their largest attendance at BMO Field in the club’s history on Saturday for a clash with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami that served as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup matches being held at the venue. Nearly 45,000 fans, many in Miami’s pink and black colours and Argentina’s blue and white, packed into the World Cup’s smallest venue to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, giving the city a taste of what’s to come when it hosts six matches. “This weekend will serve as a real life test run with a number of high attendance sporting events in town,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said on Friday, also referring to a pair of Toronto Blue Jays games and the Sporting Life 10K event. The allure of Messi, who scored in Miami’s 4-2 win, helped draw a crowd of 44,828 that offered Toronto services a chance to see how they will perform with similar large crowds, from getting fans in and out of the stadium to transit …