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. The claim, broadcast on Luzu TV's El Show del Verano, spread rapidly online before being publicly denied by the Messi family. Within a day, Peña had apologized, stepped away from her role, and the broadcaster announced personnel changes tied to the incident.
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. 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...
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 aire...