Florencia Peña dismissed after false report of Lionel Messi's father's death
During a live broadcast of Luzu TV’s “El Show del Verano” on June 17, 2026 – shortly after Argentina’s 3‑0 World Cup win over Algeria – presenter Florencia Peña announced that Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Messi, had died. The Messi family quickly issued a statement confirming that Jorge Messi was alive, undergoing medical treatment and in stable condition.
The erroneous announcement triggered a massive backlash on social media, criticism from Argentine President Javier Milei and other public figures, and prompted Luzu TV director Nicolás Occhiato to label the mistake “inadmissible.” The channel terminated Peña and the production staff involved, and Peña issued a public apology and resigned from the platform.
Attorney Fernando Burlando later said Peña is evaluating a lawsuit against Occhiato, alleging the contract termination was unilateral and without proper notice. One producer was reinstated while another remained dismissed. The episode sparked a broader debate on media responsibility and the spread of unverified information.
Family representatives expressed deep displeasure at the intrusion into a private matter, and the incident received extensive coverage across Argentine and international outlets, highlighting the risks of unchecked fake news during a major sporting event.