Lionel Messi: False Reports of Father’s Death Spark Furious Response
Lionel Messi: False Reports of Father’s Death Spark Furious Response
The Argentina forward was in tears during Argentina’s World Cup opener.Tom Gott|
Lionel Messi did his best not to publicize the reason for his tears during Argentina’s 3–0 win over Algeria. Unfortunately for him, the matter was taken out of his hands in a truly shocking manner.
During a broadcast of Luzu TV’s El Show del Verano, host Florencia Peña made the stunning claim that Messi’s father, Jorge, had passed away. “He’s going to have to leave [the World Cup],” Peña insisted.
Unsurprisingly, such a story went wild on social media and it did not take long for the report to reach Messi himself. The Inter Miami forward was ultimately forced to respond, slamming the speculation and confirming that Jorge, while hospitalized, was very much alive.
What Did Messi Say in Response?
Messi had clearly wanted to keep his father’s health situtation private, but the vast wave of speculation prompted a statement from the 38-year-old and his family.
“The Messi family informs that Jorge is currently going through a health situation,” the statement began. “At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he is experiencing.
“In light of the reports, rumors and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep concern regarding the lack of sensitivity, respect and discretion with which some individuals have treated a strictly private family matter.
“The family would also like to clarify that only Jorge’s immediate family has real and accurate information regarding his condition. Therefore, any version, statement or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.
“At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention.
“We sincerely appreciate the expressions of affection, respect, and concern we have received, and we ask that Jorge’s privacy, confidentiality and personal space—as well as that of his entire family—be respected throughout this process.
“Any relevant updates will be communicated in due course by the family and through the appropriate channels. Thank you for your understanding.”
The Stunning Fallout
With confirmation that the claim of Jorge Messi’s death was incorrect, there was a predictable wave of frustration directed towards those responsible.
Nico Ochiatto, the founder of Luzu TV, responded passionately with a series of statements confirming his “outrage” and promising an internal review, which quickly resulted in the dismissal of all those involved in the story.
“Luzu TV deeply regrets what occurred on air during the program ‘El Show del Verano.’ Our channel finds the dissemination of sensitive information without proper prior verification unacceptable.
“For this reason, Luzu TV management has decided to dismiss all those responsible, and Florencia Peña will be stepping down. We reaffirm our commitment to responsible, respectful, and rigorous communication.”
Peña, who broadcasted the claim, issued another apology to the Messi family.
“I apologize to the Messi family for the awful moment I imagine they are going through,” she said. “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 apologize again from the heart; I was wrong.”
President of Argentina Weighs in
The saga did not end there as Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, unleashed his own furious statement which began with the title: “TRASH CORP.”
“When one thinks they’ve already seen it all from the media, certain characters make a point of reminding us that it’s always possible to sink even lower, to spout an even worse abomination, and to inflict even more damage,” Milei wrote.
“The aberrant and unscrupulous unchecked statements by Florencia Peña on a streaming channel—which would still be aberrant even if the information had been true, since they trample on a citizen’s private life—remind us of the impunity with which some individuals believe they can operate simply by holding a microphone or a pen in hand, as if that fact implied not only that they don’t have to verify the information they spread, but also that they need not adhere to the most basic tenets of human decency, morality or respect for the truth.
“It’s also worth noting that, unlike what happened in the case of this low-rent gossipmonger, at least the channel had the decency to correct the information and boot out this nefarious character—something that has never once happened with media outlets or newspapers that have in their ranks an endless parade of journalists who have grown tired of smearing, slandering or insulting everyone in sight, shielded by editors and/or media owners who cover for them under the pretext of doing ‘journalism.’
“At least the showbiz gossips don’t pretend to preach from the perch of morality or good manners, while pocketing ad dollars from politicians to prop up media outlets that, if they truly relied only on their audience, would have gone bankrupt long ago.”
The Impact on Messi
Messi, a typically quiet player, has not offered a personal response to the issue aside from the statement from his wider family.
He continues to train with Argentina ahead of its next World Cup outing against Austria on June 22 and is still expected to start that game during what is an incredibly challenging time for Messi on a personal level.
Messi needs just one more goal to become the leading scorer in the history of the World Cup, currently sitting tied for first with Miroslav Klose on 16.
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Published Jun 19, 2026 | Modified Jun 19, 2026
TOM GOTTTom Gott is an associate editor for SI FC, having entered the world of soccer media in early 2018 following his graduation from Newcastle University. He specialises in all things Premier League, with a particular passion for academy soccer, and can usually be found rebuilding your favorite team on Football Manager.
Home/Soccer
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
