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Argentine television presenter steps down after falsely announcing Lionel Messi’s father’s death during a live broadcast

An Argentine television anchor has resigned from her role after she incorrectly reported live on air that Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, had passed away. The false claim was made during the World Cup, triggering widespread outrage and leading to immediate apologies from both the broadcaster and the production staff involved.

A live broadcast mistake

Florencia Peña made the inaccurate and sensational claim during a live stream on Argentine channel Luzu TV. The incident occurred shortly after Argentina’s opening group stage win over Algeria, a match in which Lionel Messi had delivered a remarkable performance. The controversy erupted following Messi’s hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 triumph against the African side. The 38-year-old appeared emotional on the field and later mentioned that he had been going through “difficult days” for personal reasons unrelated to football.

While addressing viewers during the show, Peña stated: “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 comment spread rapidly across social media, sparking confusion and alarm among fans of the Inter Miami star and the Argentina national team.

The Messi family responds

As the claim gained traction online, the Messi family quickly moved to clarify the facts and stop the spread of false information. They confirmed that Jorge Messi, aged 68, is alive and currently receiving medical care for an undisclosed condition under professional supervision.

In an official statement, the Messi family confirmed that Jorge is recovering and criticised the irresponsible speculation about his health. They requested privacy during what they described as a challenging time, urging the media and public to focus on his well-being rather than unverified reports.

Peña accepts blame and resigns

After facing widespread backlash, Peña issued a formal apology and announced her resignation from Luzu TV. She explained that she had received the information live on air from the show’s production team, who had claimed it was verified.

In a social media post on Thursday, Peña wrote: “I apologise to the Messi family. I am deeply ashamed to have been part of this mistake. I must clarify that this false information was given to me live on air as if it had been confirmed by the show’s production team, and I trusted it. Nevertheless, I take full responsibility for being part of this error, and that is why I have decided to step aside and end my participation in Luzu. I apologise again from the heart; I was wrong.”

TV network imposes disciplinary measures

The television network did not stop at Peña’s resignation. Host and producer Nicolás Occhiato confirmed that several members of the production staff had been dismissed over the incident. The channel emphasised that airing such sensitive information without thorough verification violated its editorial principles.

Occhiato stated: “At Luzu TV, we deeply regret what happened during the broadcast of El Show de Verano. For our network, airing sensitive information without proper verification is unacceptable. Therefore, Luzu TV management has decided to terminate the contracts of all those responsible, and Florencia Peña has stepped down. We reaffirm our commitment to responsible, respectful, and accurate journalism.”

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