Messi Was Targeted by Serious World Cup Threats

Lionel Messi was the target of multiple serious threats during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to internal police reports obtained by Spanish newspaper Información and reported by AS.

The documents, linked to the International Police Cooperation Centre (IPCC) coordinated by the FBI, reportedly identified Messi as the most threatened player during the tournament.

One of the most serious incidents involved a phone call to Dallas airport. According to the report, an individual claimed that he and two other men were heading to the stadium with homemade bombs and an AR-15 and specifically mentioned an intention to attack Messi.

Another threat emerged on social media during a match in Atlanta. A user allegedly claimed they were about to enter the stadium with four bombs attached to their body and intended to attack the Argentina captain.

The threats were taken seriously by authorities. Explosives teams, dog handlers and K-9 units were deployed to search the stadium.

Fortunately, none of the reported threats developed into an actual attack, according to the reports cited by AS.

Messi was not the only major football figure to face security concerns during the tournament. The same police reports detail incidents involving Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, referees and several national teams.

The revelations raise serious questions about the security challenges faced by football's biggest stars during a World Cup, particularly when millions of supporters and high-profile players are gathered in relatively small areas.

For Messi, however, the tournament continued without any physical attack materialising despite the threats.