19.06.2026 11:20
Argentine television host Florencia Pena announced live on air that Lionel Messi's father had died, but the news was denied. Pena apologized to the public and resigned from her position.
Argentine television presenter Florencia Pena found herself at the center of a major crisis after announcing live on air that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had passed away. The news was quickly denied, and Pena apologized to the public, announcing her resignation from her position.
The incident occurred on the El Show del Verano program on Argentina's Luzu TV. During the live broadcast, Florencia Pena told viewers that Lionel Messi's father had died. She even claimed that Messi would have to leave the team during the ongoing World Cup.
However, this claim could not be verified shortly after and turned out to be based on unsubstantiated rumors spreading on social media. Later in the program, Pena noted that the news had not been confirmed by any media outlet and stated that efforts were being made to clarify the situation.
Messi Family Breaks Silence
Following the events, the Messi family issued an official statement. The statement confirmed that 68-year-old Jorge Messi was receiving treatment for some health issues but emphasized that reports of his death were completely false.
The family stated that Jorge Messi was under medical supervision and his health was progressing positively. They also expressed discomfort with the rumors and speculations circulating in recent hours, urging that only statements made by the family should be considered.
The statement particularly highlighted that sensitive topics like health should not be used as material for irresponsible news and comments.
Emotional Apology from the Presenter
After the mistake came to light, Florencia Pena made a statement on social media. The famous presenter apologized to the Messi family, saying she felt deeply ashamed of the incident.
Pena stated that the information was relayed to her during the live broadcast by the program's production team as verified information, which is why she shared the news. Despite this, she took responsibility and announced her decision to leave her position at Luzu TV.
In a later interview, she said she did not have access to her phone or computer at the time of the incident and received all information from the broadcast team.
Channel Management Takes Action
Luzu TV management also released a statement regarding the incident. The channel stated that sharing unverified sensitive information during a live broadcast was unacceptable and announced that those responsible had been dismissed.
This event once again highlighted how quickly unverified information can spread in the age of social media and how much impact false news can have on both families and the public.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi managed to stay focused on the World Cup despite the rumors about his family. In the match where Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, the star footballer scored a hat-trick, playing a key role in his team's strong start to the tournament.