Messi Family Says Father Recovering After False On‑Air Death Report

Overview

• The Messi family issued an official statement on Thursday saying Jorge Messi is hospitalized, receiving medical care and showing a favorable recovery, and they asked that only family channels be trusted for updates.
• False reports that Jorge had died circulated widely on social media and television, culminating in a live announcement on Luzu TV that was later retracted.
• Luzu TV apologized, removed presenter Florencia Peña from the channel after she apologized and said she had been fed the false information through production, and the program’s production team was dismissed.
• Lionel Messi continued training and team activities with the Argentina squad and has said his tears after the Algeria match were for a private family matter unrelated to sport.
• The episode has drawn public and political criticism and is prompting calls for stricter verification at broadcasters and for greater restraint by social platforms when reporting sensitive personal news.