On Thursday, a supermarket in Lionel Messi’s hometown of Rosario was attacked by gunmen who left a threatening note for the Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Gunmen Threaten Lionel Messi’s Family-Owned Store in Rosario
Early Thursday morning, police were called to the scene of an attack on the family-owned food store “Unico” located in Rosario’s Lavalle district. The store belongs to Antonela Roccuzzo’s family, the wife of Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi. Shots were fired at the store’s shutters and front door, causing significant damage. Two individuals on a motorbike were seen fleeing the scene after leaving a threatening note for Messi.
The Note
The message left for Messi read, “Messi, we are waiting for you. Javkin is a drug dealer. He is not going to look after you.” The note appears to refer to Rosario’s mayor, Pablo Javkin, who recently spoke out on the increasing level of violence in the city and the need for more police presence.
Rosario’s Crime Problem
Rosario is the largest city in Argentina’s central province of Santa Fe, located 300 kilometers (186 miles) north of Buenos Aires. The city has been grappling with a rising crime problem in recent years. According to official figures, homicides in the city have increased by 78% over the past five years.
No injuries were reported in Thursday’s attack, but the incident has caused concern for the safety of Messi and his family. Lionel Messi recently won FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player 2022 at an awards ceremony in Paris, having led his nation to their third world crown in Qatar. Neither he nor Roccuzzo have commented on the incident at this time.
Authorities are investigating the attack and have yet to determine a motive for the shooting. The incident underscores the urgent need for greater efforts to address crime and violence in Rosario, as well as the importance of protecting public figures and their families from potential threats.