An Argentine television host has left her job and a broadcaster has sacked its production staff after a live report falsely declared Lionel Messi’s father dead during the World Cup.
Florencia Peña, a presenter on streaming channel Luzu TV, told viewers on Thursday that Jorge Messi had died, adding that the Argentine captain would likely have to leave the tournament. Jorge Messi, 68, was alive, in medical care for an undisclosed illness, and showing signs of recovery at the time.
“At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity,” the Messi family said in a statement, describing the episode as an intrusion into a strictly private matter.
Peña said the information was given to her during the broadcast by the show’s production team, who presented it as verified. She announced her resignation the same day and apologised to the family, saying she was ashamed at having spread the false report.
Luzu TV went further, dismissing the production staff it held responsible for the error and publishing a statement calling the broadcast of unverified sensitive information unacceptable. Channel founder Nico Occhiato shared the decision publicly.
Argentine President Javier Milei condemned the episode on X, attacking the absence of verification and basic respect for a citizen’s private life. He described the conduct as reflecting an attitude among some broadcasters that holding a microphone exempts them from checking facts or observing minimal standards of decency. Milei later credited Luzu TV for removing those responsible.
The false report emerged two days after Messi had scored the first hat trick of his World Cup career in Argentina’s opening win over Algeria by three goals in Kansas City. At 38 years and 357 days, he became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat trick, surpassing a record Cristiano Ronaldo had set at 33 years and 122 days against Spain in Russia in 2018.
Messi told reporters after the Algeria match that he was going through a difficult personal situation but gave no details. The family said all further updates on Jorge’s health would come through official channels.
