Lionel Messi targeted with bomb threats during World Cup, report reveals

Suspects reportedly threatened to detonate explosives and storm stadiums where Messi was playing. MARCA stated that Messi received more threats than any other player, including a suicide bomb threat before Argentina's Round of 16 match against Egypt. One suspect allegedly posted on social media about using four bombs to target Messi, leading to a sweep of the Atlanta stadium by sniffer dogs, which found nothing.

Another threat emerged before Argentina's group-stage game against Jordan, with a man reportedly calling Dallas airport to claim he and accomplices were heading to the stadium with homemade bombs and an AR-15 rifle, specifically targeting Messi. The report also mentioned that Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo received separate threats, leading to several arrests. Security agencies, including the FBI, collaborated with international police throughout the tournament to track and neutralize threats against high-profile players.