Messi Family Condemns False Death Report by Argentine Channel

Lionel Messi’s family has condemned an Argentine streaming channel after it falsely reported the death of his father, a blunder that has cost several staff members their jobs and triggered an exodus of sponsors.

The storm broke when presenter Florencia Peña announced live on Luzu TV that Jorge Messi had died and suggested Lionel would not play again at this World Cup. The claim spread quickly. It was also completely wrong.

Hours later, the Messi family moved to set the record straight. In a statement released on Thursday, they confirmed that Jorge Messi was in hospital with an undisclosed medical issue but was “progressing favourably”.

The damage, though, was already done.

On-air error, off-air fallout

Peña, a prominent figure on the channel, resigned and issued a public apology, saying she had been fed the false information through her earpiece during the live broadcast and had trusted it as verified.

“I apologise to the Messi family for the awful moment I imagine they are going through,” she wrote on social media, in comments translated from Spanish. “I am deeply ashamed to have been the vehicle for this pain. 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 apologise again from the heart; I was wrong.”

Luzu, launched in 2020 and now one of Argentina’s most influential digital news and entertainment platforms, did not attempt to shield its staff. The channel released its own statement, also translated from Spanish, calling the incident “unacceptable” and confirming that “those responsible” had been dismissed.

“We deeply regret the incident that occurred on air during the programme,” the statement read. “For our channel, broadcasting sensitive information without proper prior verification is unacceptable. Consequently, Luzu TV management has decided to part ways with all those responsible, and Florencia Peña has decided to step aside. We reaffirm our commitment to responsible, respectful, and rigorous communication.”

The corporate response did not end there. According to media reports in Argentina, up to 10 brands moved quickly to cut ties with the streaming channel, a sharp commercial rebuke that underlined how serious the mistake was viewed in the marketplace.

Messi family hits back at ‘speculation’

If Luzu’s apologies were contrite, the Messi family’s statement was icy and precise. They did not name the channel, but their anger at the handling of Jorge Messi’s condition was unmistakable.

“In light of the versions, rumours and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express their profound discomfort at the lack of sensitivity, respect and scruples with which some individuals have treated a strictly private and family matter,” the statement said.

They stressed that only immediate relatives were in a position to speak accurately about Jorge Messi’s health.

“The family also wishes to clarify that only their closest family members have real and accurate information about Jorge’s condition. Therefore, any version, statement or information that does not come from the family itself and their corresponding channels should not be considered valid or truthful. In moments like this, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of those around them should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest.”

At the centre of the storm is Lionel Messi, playing in his record sixth World Cup and again carrying Argentina’s hopes. The 37-year-old opened the tournament with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday in Kansas City, a performance that briefly pushed all off-field noise into the background.

Argentina, the reigning champions, now head to Arlington, Texas, for their next Group J match against Austria on Monday. The questions around media conduct at home will follow them there.

Algeria fury over Messi flashpoint

While Argentina celebrated their opening win, Algeria left Kansas City incensed. Their federation has sent a letter to Fifa’s refereeing commission complaining about what they describe as poor officiating in the 3-0 defeat, focusing on a flashpoint involving Messi and captain Aïssa Mandi.

In the first half, Messi stepped on Mandi’s calf. Algeria’s players and supporters demanded a red card. No punishment followed. Messi stayed on the pitch and completed his hat-trick.

The match was refereed by Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, the same official who oversaw the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where Argentina beat France on penalties. His decisions are now under fresh scrutiny from North Africa, even as Argentina look ahead.

On the field, Messi continues to define tournaments. Off it, his family’s furious response to a reckless report has thrown a harsh spotlight on the standards of a media landscape racing to keep up with him.