Police reports reveal that terrorists planned to attack Lionel Messi during the World Cup, with one man allegedly threatening to storm a match with guns and bombs. The International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC) and FBI logs, obtained by Spanish newspaper Informacion.es, show Messi received the most threats during the tournament held in the US.
Bomb threats at Atlanta stadium
One man wrote on X before Argentina's match against Egypt on July 7: "I'm going to walk into the Atlanta stadium and blow up Messi with four bombs stuck in my body." Another man called Dallas airport, claiming he and two others were heading to the city's stadium with "homemade bombs and an AR-15," targeting "police officers and players from both teams," with "special mention of Lionel Messi."
During the Argentina-Egypt game, another man called police to say he had left "three bombs" in litter bins, prompting explosives specialists and canine units to search the stadium.
Referee targeted with 6,000 threats
The referee for the Argentina-Egypt match, Francois Letezier, received over 6,000 threats on his personal WhatsApp, and his family in France was given police protection.
Ronaldo harassment incidents
Cristiano Ronaldo was the most harassed player. On June 14, a FIFA employee reported a man asking for details about Ronaldo's hotel accommodation in Houston. The man was arrested two days later at the hotel. In Toronto, another man was arrested trying to enter an elevator with Ronaldo, claiming he wanted a selfie. Similar incidents occurred in Miami and during Portugal's match against Croatia, where a fan in a Ronaldo shirt ran onto the pitch.
Mbappé targeted with xenophobic abuse
Kylian Mbappé was also singled out, receiving "xenophobic" abuse online after a clash with Paraguay's goalkeeper. A doll with his image was burned and broadcast on social media in Paraguay on July 5 and 6.
