Messi's World Cup Tears Linked to Father's Serious Health Decline
During Argentina's 2026 World Cup group stage match against Algeria, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick but broke down in tears after his first goal. He later revealed the emotion was due to personal struggles, not football. Argentine and German media reported that Messi's father, Jorge Messi (68), has been battling a serious illness since January, with his condition worsening just before the tournament. Messi has sought medical opinions in Europe and the U.S. while continuing to play, keeping the specific diagnosis private.
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Argentine Host: Messi's Father Jorge Discharged from Hospital
According to Argentine famous host Angel De Brito, Jorge Messi, father of football star Lionel Messi, has been discharged from the hospital after being hospitalized due to illness. Lionel Messi is currently competing in the World Cup and has scored 5 goals in 2 group stage matches. The news was reported by Hupu Soccer, a Chinese sports media outlet. Some social media users noted that certain media had previously spread false rumors about Jorge Messi's death. The discharge is seen as positive news for the Messi family during the World Cup.
虎扑 - 足球Argentine Reporter Resigns After Falsely Reporting Death of Lionel Messi's Father
Argentine reporter Florencia Pena resigned after falsely reporting the death of Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, during a live broadcast. The report followed Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria, where Messi scored a hat-trick and was seen in tears, sparking speculation about a family illness. The Messi family released a statement confirming Jorge Messi was receiving treatment for a health issue and progressing well, criticizing the lack of privacy respect. Pena apologized on Luzu TV, stating the false information was provided by the production team but took responsibility for the mistake and stepped down from her role.
CaughtOffsideWorld Cup presenter quits after falsely claiming Lionel Messi's father died on live TV
Argentinian TV presenter Florencia Pena has resigned from Luzu TV after falsely reporting on live television that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge, had died. The false claim was made during the World Cup, following Messi's emotional display after scoring against Algeria. Pena later apologized, stating she was given the false information during the broadcast and took responsibility for the mistake. Luzu TV also apologized and parted ways with those responsible. The Messi family issued a statement confirming that Jorge is facing a health situation and is recovering, urging the media to act with responsibility and humanity. Argentina's next World Cup match is against Austria on June 22.
Mirror - FootballFlorencia Pena Resigns After Falsely Reporting Lionel Messi's Father's Death
Argentine television presenter Florencia Pena resigned from Luzu TV after falsely reporting live on air that Jorge Messi, father of Lionel Messi, had died during the FIFA World Cup 2026. The claim spread rapidly on social media before being debunked by the Messi family, who confirmed Jorge Messi, 68, is alive and receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed condition. The incident occurred after Lionel Messi's emotional display during Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup opener, which he later said was due to personal reasons unrelated to football. Pena apologized, stating the false information was given to her by the production team, but took responsibility and resigned. The controversy drew backlash against Luzu TV and criticism from Argentine President Javier Milei.
Yardbarker: SoccerTV Presenter Resigns After Falsely Reporting Lionel Messi's Father's Death
Florencia Peña, a TV presenter for Luzu TV, resigned after falsely reporting live on air that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died during Argentina's World Cup campaign. The error occurred after Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria, where Messi scored a hat trick, a night already charged with emotion. Peña claimed the unverified information was given to her as checked by the show's production team. She apologized to the Messi family, expressed deep shame, and resigned from Luzu TV. The Messi family later confirmed Jorge Messi was alive and recovering from an undisclosed health issue. Luzu TV apologized and pledged to hold those responsible accountable. Argentine President Javier Milei condemned the broadcast as 'trash talk' and criticized the use of unverified claims about a citizen's private life.
Yardbarker: SoccerArgentine TV presenter resigns after falsely reporting Lionel Messi's father died
Argentine television presenter Florencia Pena resigned from Luzu TV after falsely announcing on air that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died during Argentina's World Cup opening match. The Messi family confirmed the 68-year-old is receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed condition and is recovering. Pena apologized, stating she trusted unverified information given to her live. Luzu TV also apologized and terminated all responsible employees. The incident sparked widespread outrage across Argentina, with President Javier Milei condemning the 'trash talk' and unverified reporting. The controversy followed Messi's hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, after which he cited personal difficulties. Argentina continues their World Cup campaign against Austria on Monday.
BBC SportArgentine TV presenter resigns after falsely reporting Messi's father died
Argentine television presenter Florencia Pena has resigned from Luzu TV after falsely reporting live on air that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died during Argentina's first World Cup match against Algeria. The claim spread rapidly on social media before Pena admitted the information was unverified. The Messi family later confirmed that Jorge Messi, 68, is receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed condition and is recovering, while criticizing speculation about his health. Pena apologized, saying she trusted unverified information given to her by the production team. Luzu TV also apologized, terminated those responsible, and reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous journalism. The incident drew widespread criticism in Argentina, including from President Javier Milei, who called it 'trash talk.' The false report came after Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win and had mentioned experiencing 'difficult days' for personal reasons.
BBC SportArgentinian TV Host Resigns After Falsely Reporting Death of Lionel Messi's Father
Florencia Peña, host of Argentina's Luzu TV, resigned after falsely reporting on air that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died during the 2026 World Cup. The report, which aired live, also suggested Messi would not play further matches. The Messi family quickly issued a statement clarifying that Jorge was hospitalized with an undisclosed medical issue and was recovering favorably. Peña apologized, blaming incorrect information fed via earpiece by the production team, and resigned. Luzu TV also apologized and fired those responsible. As many as 10 brands reportedly ended their sponsorship of the channel. The Messi family criticized the lack of sensitivity and urged responsible reporting.
Football | The GuardianArgentine News Crew Dismissed After Falsely Reporting Death of Messi's Father
An Argentine news crew was dismissed after falsely reporting the death of Jorge Messi, father of soccer star Lionel Messi, during a live broadcast on Luzu TV. Journalist Florencia Pena announced the death and suggested Messi would not continue in the 2026 World Cup. The Messi family clarified that Jorge was hospitalized but recovering, condemning the irresponsible reporting. Pena resigned and apologized, blaming incorrect information fed through her earpiece. Luzu TV fired those responsible and apologized. As a result, up to 10 brands ended sponsorships with Luzu. Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, is currently playing in his sixth World Cup in North America, having scored a hat trick in Argentina's opening win.
Yardbarker: SoccerArgentine Presenter Fired After Falsely Reporting Death of Lionel Messi's Father
Argentine actress and presenter Florencia Peña was fired from Luzu TV after falsely announcing the death of Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, during a live broadcast on June 19, 2026. Peña claimed the 68-year-old had died suddenly, but the information was unverified and quickly retracted. The Messi family issued a statement expressing deep discomfort, revealing that Jorge Messi was actually under medical supervision for a health condition and recovering favorably. Luzu TV director Nicolás Occhiato condemned the incident, and the network fired Peña and other responsible staff. Peña apologized, saying she was given the false information by producers. The scandal sparked widespread criticism from journalists and the public, with 77% of social media mentions expressing negative feelings. Argentine President Javier Milei called Peña's statements 'aberrant and unscrupulous.'
FútbolArgentine TV presenter resigns after falsely announcing Lionel Messi's father's death on-air
Argentine TV presenter Florencia Pena resigned from Luzu TV after falsely announcing live on air that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died during the 2026 World Cup. The false information was passed to Pena via her earpiece by the production team during the program 'El Show del Verano'. Pena later apologized to the Messi family, and Lionel Messi's mother reportedly accepted her apology. The Messi family confirmed Jorge Messi is alive but undergoing a health situation under medical supervision, and they expressed anger over speculation on private matters. The incident occurred just after Messi scored a hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria. Luzu TV condemned the broadcast and said action was taken against those responsible.
Yardbarker: SoccerMauricio Pochettino Defends Lionel Messi Amid Family Health Crisis and Fake News
Mauricio Pochettino, coach of the United States national team, publicly defended Lionel Messi during a press conference ahead of a 2026 World Cup match against Australia. Messi had recently scored a hat-trick against Algeria but admitted to difficult days due to his father Jorge's hospitalization. Jorge Messi is under medical supervision and recovering favorably. The article also notes that an Argentine presenter was fired after falsely announcing Jorge Messi's death live on air, an incident that drew attention from Argentine President Javier Milei. Pochettino, who coached Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, expressed support for his former player and praised Argentina's team and coach Lionel Scaloni.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertLionel Messi's family confirms father Jorge experiencing health-related issue
Lionel Messi's family released a statement on June 18, 2026, confirming that his 68-year-old father, Jorge Messi, is experiencing a health situation and is under medical supervision, recovering favorably. The family expressed discomfort over rumors and speculation, emphasizing that only close relatives have accurate information and urging respect for privacy. The news comes as Messi made history at the World Cup, scoring a hat trick against Algeria to tie Miroslav Klose's all-time goals record. After the match, Messi was seen crying, which he attributed to personal difficulties unrelated to football. Argentina's next Group J match is against Austria on June 22.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Argentina's President Breaks Silence After Fake News About Messi's Father
A false report claiming the death of Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, has escalated into a national controversy in Argentina. An Argentine TV presenter was fired after announcing the unverified information on air. The Messi family quickly issued a statement refuting the claim. The incident reached the highest levels of government when President Javier Milei publicly condemned the media's actions on his X account. In his statement, Milei criticized the lack of verification and the disregard for basic decency and truth by media figures, specifically naming Florencia Peña. The fake news spread during the 2026 World Cup, adding to the tension surrounding the Argentine national team and its star player.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertJavier Milei: 'If you mess with Messi, you mess with everyone'
Argentine President Javier Milei publicly defended national team captain Lionel Messi via a social media post reading 'If you mess with Messi, you mess with everyone'. The support came hours after Messi released an official statement regarding his father Jorge Messi's health condition, which he described as a 'health situation' where his father is under medical supervision, recovering favorably. The statement also warned against fraudulent external publications about the family. Milei, who has previously expressed support for Messi and the Argentine national team, joined a wave of solidarity for the player on social media following the announcement. The article also includes promotional content for the AS app and related World Cup stories.
Fútbol en AS.comArgentine Presenter Fired After Falsely Announcing Death of Lionel Messi's Father
Argentine television presenter Florencia Pena was fired from Luzu TV after falsely announcing on air that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died. The false report, made during the show 'El Show del Verano,' spread quickly and reached Messi's family. Luzu TV issued a statement apologizing, calling the dissemination of unverified sensitive information unacceptable, and dismissed all responsible staff. Pena voluntarily stepped down, expressing shame for causing pain. Messi's mother, Celia Cuccittini, reportedly accepted Pena's apology. The incident occurred amid ongoing coverage of Messi's performance in the 2026 World Cup against Algeria.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertFake News About Messi's Father's Death Sparks State-Level Uproar in Argentina
On June 18, 2026, Argentine TV host Florencia Peña falsely announced the death of Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, live on Luzu TV's show El show Verano. The information was quickly denied by the Messi family, who confirmed Jorge is in a difficult but improving health condition under medical supervision. The incident triggered a national scandal, with Argentine President Javier Milei issuing a scathing statement condemning the media's lack of verification and basic decency. Luzu TV terminated contracts of all involved, and Peña stepped down, apologizing to the Messi family. The event highlights the intersection of celebrity, media ethics, and state-level reaction in Argentina.
Home Football - actualitésArgentine TV Channel Fires Staff After Mistakenly Announcing Messi's Father's Death
Luzu TV, an Argentine streaming channel, mistakenly announced the death of Jorge Messi, father of soccer star Lionel Messi, during a live broadcast of 'El Show de Verano'. The channel issued an apology, fired the production team, and host Florencia Peña stepped away from the program. Peña later apologized on social media, stating the false information was fed to her live through her earpiece by the show's production, which she trusted. The Messi family denied the death, revealing that Jorge Messi is actually dealing with a complicated health situation. The incident occurred shortly after Lionel Messi scored a hat trick against Algeria, during which he appeared emotional and later admitted to personal issues.
RecordArgentine Broadcaster Fires Host for Falsely Declaring Messi's Father Dead
During the 2026 World Cup, Argentine actress and moderator Florencia Peña falsely announced on the streaming show 'El Show del Verano' that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge, had died. The claim came after Messi's emotional reaction during Argentina's opening victory against Algeria, where he mentioned 'difficult days' without specifying details. Messi's family quickly issued a statement clarifying that Jorge has health problems but is recovering and under medical observation. The streaming service Luzu TV fired Peña and two producers, stating that disseminating unverified sensitive information is unacceptable. Peña publicly apologized to the Messi family, expressing shame for causing distress.
BILD - SportFalse Report of Lionel Messi's Father's Death Sparks Outrage in Argentina
A false report claiming that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, had died caused widespread outrage in Argentina. The report was broadcast live on streaming service Luzu TV by host Florencia Peña, who later apologized publicly, stating she was asked to read the information and felt deep shame. Luzu TV dismissed the employees involved in the error, and Peña voluntarily ended her collaboration with the network. The Messi family issued a statement confirming that Jorge Messi has health problems but is recovering and under medical observation, expressing deep discomfort over the lack of empathy and respect shown by those who spread the rumors. The incident occurred during the 2026 World Cup, where Lionel Messi had just delivered a hat-trick performance for Argentina against Algeria, tying Miroslav Klose's World Cup goal record. Messi later acknowledged difficult times unrelated to football.
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