TV Host Quits After False Report of Lionel Messi's Father's Death
An Argentine television host has resigned after erroneously reporting that Lionel Messi's father had died during the World Cup. Florencia Peña made the false claim about Jorge Messi's health during a live broadcast of Luzu TV's El Show del Verano on Thursday, June 18, two days after Messi led Argentina to victory in their first World Cup match.
Peña stated, 'I don't want to break bad news, but Messi's father just died. Right in the middle of the World Cup, he's going to have to leave,' according to the US Sun. The Messi family quickly refuted the report, confirming that Jorge Messi was battling an undisclosed health issue but was alive and recovering. 'He is currently under medical supervision, recovering, and progressing favorably within his current condition,' the family said in a statement, as reported by ESPN.
The family expressed deep displeasure at the lack of sensitivity and respect shown by those who treated a private family matter as public speculation. Peña claimed she received unverified information during the live broadcast and trusted it without checking. She apologized on Instagram Story, saying, 'I apologize to the Messi family for the awful moment I imagine they are going through. I am very ashamed to have been the vehicle for this pain.' She announced her departure from the show.
Luzu TV issued a statement saying it deeply regretted the incident and dismissed all responsible parties, including Peña. Founder Nico Occhiato shared the statement, which reaffirmed the channel's commitment to responsible communication. Argentine President Javier Milei also condemned Peña, calling her a 'low-rent gossipmonger' and criticizing the lack of verification. He praised Luzu TV for correcting the error and removing Peña.
Messi had scored a hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, in the 2026 World Cup opener. The incident sparked widespread backlash from fans and the public.
