Even after leading his nation of Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the fall, it looks like not everyone in his come country feels fondly for Lionel Messi as the soccer star was threatened in a violent attack against a family store this week.
According to a report from an Argentinian outlet Clarin, two individuals on a motorbike fired 14 shots at the shutters and front door of the food store “Unico,” which is owned by the in-laws of soccer legend Lionel Messi. Nobody was injured in the attack.
While it’s not clear why the assailants targeted the store or Messi, police said they did leave a threatening note, saying “Messi, we are waiting for you. Javkin is a drug dealer. He is not going to look after you,” as translated by ESPN.
Pablo Javkin is the current mayor of Rosario, Argentina, where the store is located. He has recently spoken out about the rise of crime in the city, calling for a stronger police presence.
Celia Arena, justice minister for the region, called the attack “terrorism” by a “mafia.”
“The aim is to deliberately cause terror in the population and discourage those of us who are fighting against criminal violence, knowing that it will be an event of global significance,” Arena wrote in a social media post.
Messi has not commented on the incident.
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