Jorge Messi, the father of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68, news outlet Infobae reported. He died in a clinic in Rosario following a prolonged, severe illness.
Lionel Messi has not yet made an official comment regarding his father's death.
Unverified broadcast statement
Earlier, host Florencia Peña stated during a live broadcast on the Argentine streaming service Luzu TV that Messi's father had died. She later apologized for broadcasting unverified information and was fired.
Lionel Messi is an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner whose professional football career has been ongoing since 2003.
