World Cup dodges deadly plot targeting Messi and Ronaldo

The World Cup this summer may have escaped a potentially bloody drama after a leaked police report revealed serious threats to kill several high‑profile stars. Spanish media conglomerate Prensa Ibérica said Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal were among the intended targets.

A man claimed he would break into the Atlanta stadium for the round‑of‑16 match between Argentina and Egypt, stating: “I will go into the Atlanta stadium and blow up Messi with four bombs that I have attached to my body.” The threat specifically named Messi as the victim.

Because of the bomb warning, the explosive ordnance disposal unit was called in to secure the venue. Authorities treated the claim as a credible danger to public safety.

Earlier in the tournament, before the group game between Argentina and Jordan, a man together with two accomplices threatened to storm the Dallas stadium armed with hand grenades and semi‑automatic rifles. Messi was again identified as the primary target of that plot.

Ronaldo also faced a separate danger when a man broke into the Portuguese squad’s hotel aiming to confront him in the lift. When apprehended, the suspect said he only wanted to take a photograph with “CR7”.

Referees were not spared, with French official François Letexier receiving roughly six thousand hateful WhatsApp messages after the Argentina‑Egypt match. Other officials reported similar online intimidation.