Argentine television host Florencia Peña has resigned from her role at Luzu TV after falsely reporting the death of Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, during a live broadcast of the 2026 World Cup.
The incident unfolded on Thursday during Luzu TV’s “El Show del Verano,” just one day after Lionel Messi had delivered a stunning hat-trick performance in Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria. Peña announced the news on air, stating, “I don’t want to break bad news, but Messi’s father just died.” She added, “Right in the middle of the World Cup, he’s going to have to leave,” suggesting the football superstar would depart the tournament.
Family expresses ‘deep displeasure’
The Messi family swiftly released a statement confirming that Jorge Messi was alive, though he is battling an undisclosed health issue. The statement clarified that he is “currently under medical supervision, recovering, and progressing favourably within his current condition.” The family also conveyed their profound disappointment regarding the erroneous report.
“Given the versions, rumours, 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 Messi family stated.
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Following the significant backlash, Florencia Peña shared an apology on her Instagram story. She claimed the false information originated from the show’s production team. “I have to clarify that this false information was given to me live on air as if it had been checked the show’s production team, and I trusted it,” Peña wrote. She extended her apologies to the Messi family, expressing shame for being the “vehicle for this pain.” Peña concluded her statement by taking responsibility for her part in the error and announcing her decision to “step aside and end my participation in Luzu.”
Luzu TV dismisses ‘all those responsible’
Luzu TV, through a statement shared by founder Nico Occhiato on X on June 18, 2026, expressed deep regret over the incident. The network called the dissemination of sensitive information without proper verification “unacceptable.”
“For this reason, Luzu TV management has decided to dismiss all those responsible. Florencia Peña will decide to step down,” the statement read, without clarifying whether Peña’s departure was solely her decision or if she was asked to leave. Luzu TV also did not comment on Peña’s claims regarding the production team, but reaffirmed its “commitment to responsible, respectful and rigorous communication.”
Messi’s World Cup heroics overshadowed
The controversy unfolded as Lionel Messi was making headlines for his on-field brilliance. In Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium, Messi scored a hat-trick, drawing level with Miroslav Klose as the highest scorer in World Cup history. He also claimed the record as the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, a remarkable achievement that was briefly overshadowed by the distressing false report concerning his father’s health.
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