Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Football
A note was left for Lionel Messi threatening the football star after a store owned by his in-laws in Argentina was attacked.
The Associated Press reports via Fox Sports, that two gunmen fired upon the Unico supermarket in Rosario, according to local police.
The supermarket is owned by the parents of Antonella Roccuzzo, Messi’s wife whom he has been in a relationship with since 2008.
Police reports say at least two dozen shots were fired on the store, however, even more worrying was the fact that a note was left for the football star.
The note read: “Messi, we’re waiting for you. Javkin is also a drug trafficker, so he won’t take care of you.”
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Pablo Javkin is the mayor of Rosario, the third-largest city in Argentina.
It’s not known why the PSG star or his family were targeted in the attack.
He is one of the most beloved figures in Argentina, especially after leading his country to victory in the World Cup.
An investigation is underway into the incident.
Javkin spoke to reporters about the increase in violence in the city in the wake of Thursday’s (March 2) incident.
He voiced his frustrations with local authorities and the lack of police officers as crime becomes more and more common.
In a radio interview, he threw suspicion of complicity in the attack on federal security officials, according to Fox Sports.
He said: “I doubt everyone, even those who are supposed to protect us.”
He asked: “Where are the ones who need to take care of us?
“It’s clear that those who have the weapons and have the possibility of investigating the criminals aren’t doing it, and it’s very easy for any gang to carry out something like this.”
Celia Arena, who is the justice minister for the Sante Fe province, said the attack was used to intimidate the broader population by targeting such a well-known figure.
She wrote on social media: “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.”
Argentina are set to play two friendly matches later this month, where Messi could return to the country for the national team.
