What should have been a celebration of Argentina's strong start to the 2026 Fifa World Cup turned into a media storm after television presenter Florencia Peña falsely announced live on air that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died.
Argentine television presenter Florencia Peña has resigned from her role at Luzu TV after incorrectly announcing live on air that Jorge Messi, the father of football superstar Lionel Messi, had died.
The incident unfolded during the 2026 Fifa World Cup shortly after Argentina’s opening group stage victory.
The false report quickly spread across social media, sparking confusion and concern among football fans around the world.
The controversy came after Lionel delivered a standout performance in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, scoring a hat trick and leading his side to an impressive start to the tournament.
