Argentine TV presenter resigns after falsely announcing Messi's father's death

Argentine presenter Florencia Peña resigned from Luzu TV after announcing live, and incorrectly, the death of Jorge Messi, father of Lionel Messi. The incident occurred during the show El Show del Verano, causing immediate shockwaves in Argentina.

According to Florencia Peña, she was only relaying information received through her earpiece. The false news nevertheless spread rapidly before being denied by the Messi family and their entourage. Luzu TV responded by publishing an official apology and announcing sanctions: “For our channel, the broadcast of sensitive information, in the absence of prior verification, is not acceptable,” it stated, specifying that it had “decided to fire all those responsible.”

Florencia Peña took the initiative on social media, saying she was “ashamed of having spread” this false information, before announcing her resignation. On the set of the show Salvese Quien Pueda, she also indicated that she had contacted Celia Cuccittini, Lionel Messi’s mother, who reportedly accepted her apologies.

The episode comes at an already difficult time for the Inter Miami star. While Messi shone on the pitch during Argentina’s opening match against Algeria (3-0) at the World Cup, scoring a hat-trick, his father is facing serious health problems, making the broadcast of this false news all the more painful for the family.