Is Lionel Messi's dad dead? TV host Florencia Pena apologizes and resigns after falsely reporting football icon’s father’s death during World Cup

Argentine TV host Florencia Pena has apologized and stepped down after falsely reporting the death of Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi, just days after the football superstar guided Argentina to victory in its opening World Cup match against Colombia. The inaccurate statement quickly drew attention and created confusion among viewers and football fans. Following the backlash, Pena publicly admitted the mistake and expressed regret over sharing incorrect information. The incident sparked discussion about the importance of verifying reports before presenting them publicly, especially during major global events. Messi’s family became the center of unnecessary speculation after the false report spread, leading to widespread reactions across media platforms.

Pena made the inaccurate claim about Jorge’s health during a live broadcast of Luzu TV’s 'El Show del Verano' on Thursday, reported New York Post citing the US Sun.

"I don’t want to break bad news, but Messi’s father just died," Pena said as quoted by the US Sun.


"Right in the middle of the World Cup, he’s going to have to leave," Pena falsely assumed.


The Messi family blasted the inaccurate report and clarified that while Jorge had been dealing with a health issue, reports of his death were false.

"He is currently under medical supervision, recovering, and progressing favorably within his current condition," the family said in a statement, according to ESPN.

"Given the versions, rumors, and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep displeasure at the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter," the family wrote.


The 51-year-old TV anchor said she had received unconfirmed information from her production team about Messi’s 68-year-old father and mistakenly reported it as fact.

"I apologize to the Messi family for the awful moment I imagine they are going through. I am deeply ashamed to have been the vehicle for this pain," Pena wrote on X.

"I must clarify that this false information was provided to me during the live broadcast as verified by the production team of the show, and I trusted it.

"Even so, I take responsibility for being part of the mistake, and that’s why I decided to step aside and end my participation in Luzu.

I apologize again from the heart; I was wrong."