Messi targeted in bomb threats during World Cup – Report

Spanish newspaper MARCA has reported a plot to assassinate Argentine football star Lionel Messi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada. According to the report, Messi received more threats than any other player at the tournament. One suspect allegedly posted a message on social media threatening to blow up Messi with four bombs strapped to his body.

This warning led to a full sweep of the Atlanta stadium by sniffer dogs following the disclosure that explosives had been hidden in bins nearby. However, the alert turned out to be a false alarm as the search yielded no results. Another threat emerged before Argentina's group-stage match against Jordan, in which a man reportedly called Dallas airport, announcing he and two accomplices would arrive at the stadium with homemade bombs and an AR-15 rifle, targeting Messi.

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo also faced threats, with several individuals reportedly arrested for making such statements. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, collaborated with international police partners to trace and neutralize the threats against high-profile players throughout the World Cup.