A newly released US police report has revealed a series of security threats involving football superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the report reviewed by Spanish newspaper Marca, Messi was reportedly the player who received the highest number of death threats during the seven-week tournament.
The report detailed several security incidents investigated by the FBI and other international law enforcement agencies, involving players, referees and stadiums.
One major incident reportedly occurred ahead of Argentina’s group-stage match against Jordan, when a caller allegedly contacted Dallas airport and claimed that he and two others planned to attack the stadium using explosives and a rifle. Messi was reportedly identified as their intended target.
Another threat emerged before Argentina’s last-16 encounter with Egypt, while authorities also investigated a separate report alleging that explosives had been placed around the stadium. A search was subsequently carried out, but nothing was found, and the threat was later determined to be a hoax.
Ronaldo was also involved in security incidents during the tournament. FIFA reportedly alerted the FBI after a suspicious individual repeatedly attempted to obtain information about the Portugal captain’s whereabouts.
Houston police later arrested the individual at the hotel where Portugal’s team was staying.
Two days later, another person was reportedly detained in Toronto after attempting to enter a lift with Ronaldo. The individual told officers that he only wanted a photograph with the football star.
Referees were also subjected to security concerns during the competition. French referee François Letexier reportedly received thousands of abusive messages on WhatsApp following the controversial Argentina-Egypt match, while VAR official Willy Delajod also faced online abuse.
Authorities subsequently increased security measures around the homes and families of the affected officials in France.
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