In a shocking series of events, Lionel Messi’s family-owned shop was attacked by two gunmen. Messi’s family owns a supermarket back in his native place, Rosario, in Argentina. It is mainly owned by the family of Messi‘s wife, Antonella Rocuzzo, who was also born in Rosario. While the reason for the attack is still not known, there is a growing security concern in Rosario as well as around Lionel Messi.
A supermarket in Rosario owned by Antonella Messi’s family was attacked this week.
Gunman left a threatening message for Lionel Messi at the store and fourteen shots were fired.
Luckily no-one was hurt but damage was inflicted on the shop.
✍️ @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/QNfFRnROWG
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) March 2, 2023
According to reports from ESPN, the attack was carried out in the early hours of Thursday. Two individuals arrived on a motorbike at the supermarket and opened fire on Antonella’s shop, ‘Unico.‘ Despite fourteen shots being fired, fortunately, no one got injured. In addition to this, the Rosario police also reported that the attackers left a message for the Paris Saint-Germain star.
The gunmen wrote on a piece of cardboard, “Messi, we are waiting for you. Javkin is a drug dealer. He is not going to look after you. ” ‘Javkin’ is none other than Pablo Javik, the mayor of Rosario. Javkin has raised questions about the growing violence in Rosario and the lack of protection in the Argentine city. Rosario’s prosecutor, Federico Rebola also clarified that this has been the first-ever attack against Messi’s family.
Fans react to the attack on Lionel Messi’s family-owned shop
As soon as the news became public that Lionel Messi’s family-owned shop was attacked by two gunmen, the Internet was filled with reactions from fans. Most fans have shared their concern over the incident and also denounced the attack on the former Barcelona star’s shop. One fan wrote, “They need to be tracked down and arrested ASAP. Don’t bring the football hate nonsense to someone’s Family or personal life that I will never support.“
Here’s a series of Twitter reactions from fans:
They need to be tracked down and arrested ASAP…..don’t bring the football hate nonsense to someone’s Family or personal life that I will never support 🚫 https://t.co/ngQjfUme61
— LANKWEI (@MrLankwei) March 2, 2023
Messi’s gonna hire the fucking Avengers to guard their store now. He does not mess around with his family lol https://t.co/K6ncHlcKXH
— self-gov enjoyer (@hsuarezdavis) March 2, 2023
What on earth … https://t.co/wyatjk3sx6
— Ryan Strachan (@5Solae) March 2, 2023
WTF! After all the glory, joy, pride and honor Leo and @Argentina gave to its country, this is how you repay him. 🙏🏻 😭 😡 https://t.co/4nu8hjABwd
— unniedy (@unniemilledy) March 2, 2023
They going after Messi? IN ARGENTINA???? 😐😐 https://t.co/sIFbabKdwl
— 1g 1a 1gp (@ziggy_dias) March 2, 2023
Cowards https://t.co/giEvVuHC3t
— Lou Diamond FillUps (@HahaCinto) March 2, 2023
There are some reports that relate this attack on Lionel Messi’s family-owned shop to the prevailing drug-related violence in Argentina. Argentina’s Security Minister, Anibal Fernandez, did say that drug-related violence has been going in the country “for the last 20 years.” Former Argentine President, Mauricio Macri, also denounced the attack, writing on Twitter that the country can’t co-exist with the drug traffickers.
Lionel Messi’s upcoming friendly in Rosario
The recent attack on Messi’s family-owned shop has cast a huge shadow of doubt on Messi’s presence in an upcoming friendly match in Rosario. It was recently reported that Lionel Messi will appear in a friendly match which will be hosted as a testimonial game for Messi’s former teammate, Maxi Rodriguez. The Argentine star is supposed to play for his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys.
🎙️ Gabriel Heinze: “I just found out what they did to Messi’s family. It’s totally insane. It makes you think about things. It’s not just Messi but it affects other players who might want to return to Newell’s. It’s important that something is done.” #Newells pic.twitter.com/HetVH2PFZ2
— Newell’s Old Boys – English (@Newells_en) March 2, 2023
Moreover, the recent attack has also raised doubts over Messi’s probable return to Newell’s in the last stage of his career. There have been numerous reports that Messi might end his career at Newell’s, which is a club based in Rosario Meanwhile, neither Lionel Messi nor Antonella Rocuzzo has yet addressed or made any comments about the devious attack carried out in Rosario.
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