False report of Jorge Messi's death causes controversy in Argentina

On June 18, 2026, television presenter Florencia Pena announced the false death of Jorge Messi, father of football star Lionel Messi, during the live broadcast of the show 'El Show del Verano' on Luzu TV. The misinformation spread rapidly across Argentina while Lionel Messi was competing in the 2026 World Cup. The Messi family subsequently issued an official statement confirming that Jorge Messi is undergoing medical treatment for a serious health issue, but is recovering and showing progress. The family emphasized that only information from official channels should be considered valid. Following the public backlash, Florencia Pena apologized to the Messi family and resigned from her position at Luzu TV. She claimed the incorrect information had been provided to her by the show's production team during the live segment. The incident sparked national outrage and highlighted concerns regarding misinformation in media. Lionel Messi had previously mentioned facing personal difficulties, which were confirmed to be related to his father's health.