Gunmen have attacked a supermarket in Argentina owned by the family of Lionel Messi‘s wife Antonela Roccuzzo and left a chilling message for the football star.
One of two men on a motorbike was caught on CCTV walking up to the premises in Messi’s home city of Rosario, about 180 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, and firing repeatedly at metal shutters over the windows and front door.
Fourteen shots were reportedly fired at the supermarket.
The attackers are also said to have left a handwritten message at the scene which said: ‘Messi, Javkin is not going to look after you.’
Pablo Javkin is the current mayor of Rosario, the largest city in the central province of Santa Fe.
A local TV station which reported on the attack claimed the message suggested criminals may be trying to extort money from the seven-times Ballon D’Or winner.
Image shows the note that the gunmen are reported to have dropped in the street
Argentina’s Lionel Messi poses with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday 27 February 2023
The supermarket, which is called Supermercado Unico, is said to belong to Antonela’s family and is understood to be managed by one of her cousins.
It is expected to remain closed today following the gun attack around 2am.
Two people were seen driving a motorbike before shooting at the metal shutters.
Police reported the suspects discarded the note to be found before leaving.
An investigation is ongoing.
The city is the country’s most violent, witnessing 250 murders in the first 11 months of 2022. This made it the third most violent year on record when data was collected.
The homicide rate in the city is four times the national average, and 70% of murders have been linked to organised crime.
Image shows the supermarket with shutters down in Rosario city, Argentina
Rosario’s homicide rate is four times the national average, with 70% linked to organised crime
Messi on 26 February playing for Paris Saint Germain. The Argentine forward, now 35, scored in the 3-0 triumph over Marseille
Messi owns a huge mansion on the outskirts of Rosario called ‘The Fortress.’
The monster property, built on three adjoining plots of land in a gated private estate, has a huge cinema, gym and underground garage with enough space for 15 cars.
He married Antonela in a glitzy wedding at Rosario’s City Centre Hotel and Casino in June 2017.
Guests included former Man City striker Sergio Aguero and Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez.
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Messi receives threat from gunmen who shot up supermarket owned by his in-laws
