Argentina rallies around Lionel Messi as Scaloni addresses false reports about his father

A false report claiming Lionel Messi’s father had died sent shockwaves through Argentina’s World Cup camp on June 22, 2026, forcing coach Lionel Scaloni to use a pre-match press conference to debunk the rumor and reassure fans that the squad remains focused on defending their title.

The erroneous claim originated from Argentine TV presenter Florencia Peña during a live broadcast on Luzu TV. Within minutes, the report cascaded across social media and news outlets, creating a crisis of misinformation at the worst possible time: just days before Argentina’s second Group J match against Austria.

What actually happened

Jorge Messi, who is 68 years old, is alive. He is receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed condition, according to statements from the Messi family. The family confirmed his status while requesting privacy.

Peña has since resigned from her position at Luzu TV.

Scaloni addressed the situation directly in his June 22 press conference. He confirmed the team is “good” and focused on the task ahead.

Argentina’s players have shown unity in support of Messi amid the distractions.

Context: Argentina entered the tournament in dominant form

Argentina had just opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 demolition of Algeria, a match in which Messi scored a hat-trick. At nearly 39 years old, Messi is widely expected to be playing in his final World Cup.

Argentina entered the 2026 tournament as reigning champions, having won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They also claimed the 2024 Copa América.

The misinformation problem in real time

A single unverified statement on a live broadcast was treated as fact by countless outlets and millions of social media users before anyone bothered to confirm it. The Messi family’s measured response, requesting privacy while confirming Jorge’s status, stands in stark contrast to the chaos that a single unverified broadcast claim created. Peña’s resignation suggests at least some accountability.

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