Messi Matches Klose's World Cup Goal Record
Lionel Messi equalled Miroslav Klose's record as the top all-time World Cup goalscorer by scoring a hat-trick against Algeria.
Presenter Resigns Over False Report on Messi's Father
An Argentine television presenter resigned after incorrectly reporting the death of Lionel Messi's father during Argentina's first World Cup match.
Florencia Pena made the claim live on Argentine streaming channel Luzu TV following Argentina's opening group game victory against Algeria.
"I don't want to bring bad news, but Messi's father has just passed away. It was sudden. In the middle of the World Cup," Pena said while hosting the program.
The report rapidly circulated on social media before Pena clarified that the information had not been confirmed.
The Messi family subsequently issued a statement confirming that Jorge Messi, the player's father, is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed health condition.
The statement said the 68-year-old is under medical supervision and recovering, while criticising speculation surrounding his health and requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Pena issued a public apology, stating the information had been conveyed to her during the broadcast as if it were verified news.
"I apologise to the Messi family," she said in a statement. "I am deeply ashamed to have been involved in this mistake."
The 51-year-old television personality and actress explained that she was provided with unverified information.
"I have to clarify that this false information was given to me live on air as if it had been checked by the show's production team, and I trusted it," Pena wrote on social media on Thursday.
"Even so, I take responsibility for being part of the mistake and that is why I decided to step aside and end my participation in Luzu.
"I apologise again from the heart; I was wrong."
Luzu TV also issued an apology and announced disciplinary measures following the incident, stating that sharing sensitive information without proper verification was unacceptable.
Nicolas Occhiato, the show's host and producer, commented:
"We at Luzu TV deeply regret what happened on the air during the program El Show de Verano. For our channel, the broadcast of sensitive information without proper prior verification is unacceptable.
"For this reason, Luzu TV management has decided to terminate the employment of all those responsible, and Florencia Pena has decided to step down.
"We reaffirm our commitment to responsible, respectful, and rigorous journalism."
Context and Reactions
The controversy arose after Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria. The 38-year-old appeared emotional during the match and later mentioned having experienced "difficult days" for personal reasons unrelated to football.
The false report sparked widespread criticism across Argentina, with many supporters condemning the failure to verify the information before broadcasting.
Argentina's President Javier Milei described the situation as "Trash talk" on X, stating:
"Pena's outrageous and unscrupulous, unverified statements on a streaming channel, which would still be outrageous even if the information had been true, since they concern a citizen's private life, remind us of the impunity with which some individuals believe they can operate simply because they have a microphone or a pen in their hand."
Argentina will continue their World Cup campaign against Austria on Monday at 18:00 BST.
