Gunmen leave chilling message for Lionel Messi in attack on supermarket

Gunmen have attacked a supermarket in Argentina owned by the family of Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and left a chilling message for the football star.

One of two men on a motorbike was caught on CCTV walking up to the premises in Messi’s home city of Rosario and firing repeatedly at metal shutters over the windows and front door. More than half a dozen shots were fired at the supermarket, Mirror reports.

The attackers also left a handwritten message at the scene which said: "Messi. We are waiting for you. Javkin is a narco. He's not going to look after you." Local reports said football hooligans known in Argentina as barrabravas could be behind the attack.

A local TV station which reported on the attack claimed the message suggested criminals may be trying to extort money from the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The supermarket, which is called Supermercado Unico, is said to belong to Antonela’s family and is understood to be managed by one of her cousins. It is expected to remain closed on Thursday following the gun attack at around 2am.

Messi owns a huge mansion on the outskirts of Rosario called ‘The Fortress’. The monster property, built on three adjoining plots of land in a gated private estate, has a huge cinema, gym and underground garage with enough space for 15 cars.

He married Antonela in a glitzy wedding at Rosario’s City Centre Hotel and Casino in June 2017. Guests included former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Barcelona manager Xavi.

Messi and Antonela, another Rosario native, have known each other since they were youngsters and began going out in 2008. They have three sons - Thiago, Mateo and Ciro - and spent the majority of their life together in Barcelona before his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Messi was unable to attend his wife's birthday party last Sunday due to playing in PSG's victory over Marseille in Ligue 1. The World Cup winner scored once and registered two assists to help the Paris club extend their lead at the top of the table. Antonela posted a picture of her 35th birthday celebrations alongside her children on her Instagram story with the caption: "My most beautiful gift ever. We miss you @lionelmessi."

Messi's future remains uncertain as the final few months of his contract with PSG run down. He had been expected to sign an extension with the French giants after an upturn in form this season, but there has been recent speculation of a move to Saudi Arabia or a return to Rosario club Newell's Old Boys, where he came through the ranks as a youngster.