Lionel Messi threatened by gunmen after shop owned by wife’s family attacked
Unidentified gunmen left a threatening note targeting soccer star Lionel Messi after he attacked a supermarket in his hometown of Rosario in Argentina in the early hours of Thursday March 2.
Reports from Argentina say 14 shots were fired at the doors of the ‘Unico’ grocery store in Rosario before two suspects fled on motorbikes.
The store is owned by the family of Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, who also grew up in Rosario.
No one was injured in the attack, which caused extensive damage to the store.
But a piece of cardboard was left at the scene with the message: “Messi, we’re waiting for you. Javkin is a drug dealer. He’s not going to deal with you.
Pablo Javkin is the mayor of Rosario.
After Thursday’s attack, Javkin called for more resources to be given to Rosario to help protect and serve its residents.
“Rosario is 300 km away [from Buenos Aires], is it close. We want to obtain all the resources against crime that Argentina has to take care of us, to protect this city that gives the country glory and science, countryside and art, federalism and union.
Both Messi and his wife were in Paris when the incident happened. None of them commented on the attack at press time.
The 35-year-old was named FIFA’s Best Men’s Player at an awards ceremony in Paris on Monday.
In 2022, he led Argentina to their third World Cup title after defeating France in the final.
