Argentine television presenter Florencia Peña has resigned after an on-air error in which she mistakenly announced the death of Jorge Messi, father of football star Lionel Messi.
According to L’Équipe, the incident occurred during the programme El Show del Verano on Luzu TV, when Peña was reportedly fed incorrect information through her earpiece by the production team.
The false report quickly spread before being denied by members of the Messi family. Jorge Messi is alive and is understood to be recovering from recent health issues.
Luzu TV condemned the incident, describing the broadcast of unverified sensitive information as “unacceptable.” The broadcaster also said it had dismissed those responsible for the error, while Peña chose to step down from her role.
“We regret deeply what happened on air,” the channel said in a statement.
Peña later apologised publicly to the Messi family, saying she was deeply ashamed of the incident and had personally reached out to Lionel Messi’s mother, Celia Cuccittini.
In an emotional appearance on the programme Sálvese Quien Pueda, the visibly distressed presenter explained the circumstances that led to the mistake and confirmed her resignation.
The incident triggered strong reactions in Argentina, including from President Javier Milei, who criticised the broadcast on social media, calling Peña a “commère mesquine” (petty gossip) and stating that any attack on Messi is an attack on the nation.
The story has also sparked widespread discussion online, particularly among football fans, with reactions divided over whether Peña should have resigned.
Some users blamed production failures and argued the presenter should not bear full responsibility, while others said the incident highlighted the importance of verifying information before going on air.
Peña’s resignation marks the end of a career-damaging incident, though her swift apology and direct outreach to the Messi family have been noted by some observers.
