On June 17, during the live show El Show del Verano, host Florencia Pena made a startling announcement, stating, "I don't want to bring sad news, but Messi's father has just passed away." This claim quickly spread across social media, causing a stir among fans in Argentina. Pena suggested that Lionel Messi might have to leave the national team during the 2026 World Cup due to this tragedy.

However, just minutes later, Pena corrected herself, clarifying that the information was merely a rumor circulating on social media and had not been confirmed by any news outlet. The situation escalated, prompting Pena to resign from her position at Luzu TV. The following day, she publicly apologized, expressing her regret for the distress her announcement may have caused to Messi's family. "I am deeply ashamed to have been the one to convey this information," Pena stated.

Pena explained that she had received the information from her production team while the show was live and believed it had been verified. Luzu TV issued an official statement condemning the broadcast of unverified sensitive information, announcing the termination of collaborations with those responsible for the incident, while confirming that Pena had voluntarily stepped down.

The network emphasized its commitment to responsible journalism, adhering to strict verification standards. During her final interview with America TV after leaving Luzu TV, Pena mentioned that she was unaware of the situation outside the studio. "I had no phone or computer while on air. The production team informed me that something was happening, and I simply repeated that information. Later, someone told me it had not been verified. I still tremble recalling it," she said, acknowledging that this was the most serious mistake of her career.

The health status of Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, became a topic of interest following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 16. After scoring, Messi was seen crying, revealing that the reason was not related to football. Radio Mitre, a prominent Argentine radio station, later reported that Messi was emotional due to his father's serious illness.

Jorge Messi, 68, has faced health issues and was hospitalized in January, undergoing cardiac and neurological tests, although the family had not publicly disclosed this information. Some reports suggested he might be suffering from pancreatic cancer. Journalist Eduardo Feinmann mentioned on Radio Mitre that Jorge's health had worsened slightly that week, stating, "Messi has been going through an internal struggle, like any son in the world."

In light of the rumors, Messi's family issued a statement on June 18 confirming that Jorge was recovering and showing positive progress. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the rampant speculation and emphasized that only information released through official family channels would be considered valid. Messi shares a close bond with his father, who has not only been a pivotal figure in his football career but also manages his business affairs, overseeing numerous lucrative contracts off the pitch.