Scaloni Rallies Argentina Squad Behind Messi After False Reports of Father Jorge’s Death During 2026 World Cup

A wave of misinformation targeting Lionel Messi’s family cast a shadow over Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations, with false reports circulating widely in Argentina claiming that his father, Jorge Messi, had passed away. The claims gained enough traction to prompt a public response from both the Messi family and the national team’s coaching staff, who confirmed that Jorge is alive, receiving medical care, and recovering well.

The incident originated during a live broadcast on Luzu TV, where presenter Florencia Pena incorrectly announced Jorge Messi’s death on air. Pena subsequently resigned, stating she had been fed incorrect information through her earpiece by her production team. The false report spread rapidly across media platforms, causing significant distress at a particularly high-profile moment — as Messi embarks on his sixth FIFA World Cup campaign.

Speaking ahead of Argentina’s Group Stage fixture against Austria in Arlington, Texas, head coach Lionel Scaloni addressed the situation directly while keeping his focus on the match. “We’re fine. We’re ready to face tomorrow’s match,” Scaloni stated, as quoted by ESPN. “We firmly believe that it’s the group that overcomes both good and bad situations. We know that it’s always better to be with a friend. That’s what we all feel, and he must feel it too. I don’t want to add anything more on this subject; we’re prepared for the match.”

The coach’s comments reflect a deliberate effort to channel collective energy toward footballing matters rather than the off-field controversy. Argentina enter the Austria fixture on the back of a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria, a match in which Messi scored a hat-trick — his first at this edition of the tournament. A second successive win would place the Albiceleste in a strong position to advance to the round of 32.

Messi, 38, is appearing at his sixth World Cup, having previously represented Argentina at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions. His 2022 campaign in Qatar ended with Argentina lifting the trophy — the country’s third World Cup title — with Messi named the tournament’s best player. He enters the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as one of the competition’s most scrutinised figures, with Golden Ball standings already tracking his performance alongside the likes of Lamine Yamal and Mohamed Salah.

The incident involving the false death report adds to a broader pattern of misinformation that has affected high-profile athletes and their families during major international tournaments, where news cycles move rapidly and verification processes can break down under competitive media pressures. A television presenter reportedly resigned as a direct consequence of the broadcast error, underscoring the professional and reputational consequences of circulating unverified information.

With the family matter addressed through official channels, Argentina’s attention now shifts fully to the pitch. Their clash with Austria represents an opportunity to consolidate their group position, with Messi’s form — evidenced by his hat-trick against Algeria — suggesting the reigning world champions remain a formidable force in the 2026 competition.