Argentine presenter Florencia Peña resigned from Luzu TV after falsely reporting that Jorge Messi, father of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, had died during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The claim aired after Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, where Messi scored a hat trick. The Messi family later confirmed Jorge Messi, 68, is receiving medical treatment and recovering. Peña issued a public apology, while Luzu TV announced staff departures and reaffirmed its verification standards.
Incident Details
The controversy began during coverage following Argentina's opening World Cup match. Messi, 38, delivered three goals against Algeria and was visibly emotional after finding the net. On air, Peña told viewers: "I don't want to break bad news, but Messi's father just died." She followed that statement by saying, "Right in the middle of the World Cup, he's going to have to leave." The information proved false.
Apology and Resignation
As criticism mounted, Peña released a statement accepting responsibility for repeating unverified information that she said had been relayed to her during the live broadcast. "I apologise to the Messi family for the awful moment I imagine they are going through. I am deeply ashamed to have been the vehicle for this pain." She added, "Even so, I take responsibility for being part of the mistake, and that’s why I decided to step aside and end my participation in Luzu. I apologise again from the heart; I was wrong."
Luzu TV Response
Luzu TV also addressed the incident, calling the broadcast of sensitive information without verification "unacceptable" and confirming changes within the organization.
Messi Family Statement
The Messi family responded with a detailed statement clarifying Jorge Messi's condition. While acknowledging a health issue, they emphasized that reports of his death were entirely inaccurate. "The Messi family reports that Jorge is going through a health situation. At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favourably within his condition." The family also criticized speculation surrounding the matter and urged restraint from media outlets and social media users.
Background
Jorge Messi has long been one of the most influential figures in his son's career. Beyond serving as a father, he has managed key business decisions, contract negotiations, image rights, and major transfers throughout Lionel Messi's professional journey. The episode aired while Messi was dealing with the personal circumstances behind his emotional reaction against Algeria. After the match, the Inter Miami star explained, "Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football." Argentina is now focusing on the World Cup, with a group-stage meeting against Austria next on the schedule.
