Argentinian television presenter Florencia Pena has resigned after falsely announcing on live television that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died during Argentina's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The incident occurred on the streaming channel Luzu TV shortly after Argentina's opening match against Algeria.
False Announcement and Apology
During the broadcast of the program El Show de Verano, Pena told viewers: "I don't want to bring bad news, but Messi's father has just passed away. It was sudden. In the middle of the World Cup." The report quickly proved false, prompting Pena to issue a public apology and explain how the misinformation reached her.
In a statement posted on X, Pena said she had been told the information was already verified by the show's production team. "I must clarify that this false information was provided to me during the live broadcast as verified by the production team of the show, and I trusted it," she wrote. "Even so, I take responsibility for being part of the mistake, and that is why I decided to step aside and end my participation in Luzu. I apologise again from the heart; I was wrong."
Luzu TV's Response
Luzu TV also released a statement condemning the broadcast of unverified information and confirming disciplinary action. The channel stressed that reporting sensitive news without proper confirmation was unacceptable. "We at Luzu TV deeply regret what happened on the air during the program El Show de Verano. For our channel, the broadcast of sensitive information without proper prior verification is unacceptable. For this reason, Luzu TV management has decided to terminate the employment of all those responsible, and Florencia Pena has decided to step down. We reaffirm our commitment to responsible, respectful, and rigorous journalism."
Messi Family Update
Amid the controversy, Messi's family issued an update on Jorge Messi's health, confirming that he is currently receiving treatment for an undisclosed medical condition. "At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favourably within the condition he is experiencing," the family statement said.
Messi's Performance and Personal Struggles
The incident unfolded just hours after Messi delivered another memorable performance for Argentina. The 38-year-old captain scored a hat-trick in his side's 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi appeared emotional during the game and later acknowledged that he had been dealing with "difficult days" due to personal circumstances unrelated to football. Argentina will continue their World Cup campaign against Austria on Monday.
