Only a couple of weeks have passed since Spain won the FIFA World Cup title against Argentina at MetLife Stadium. Reports have now emerged of security threats during the tournament that targeted both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Argentine captain Lionel Messi was reportedly the focus of several threats detailed in a police dossier. Spanish outlet Informacion.es reported that security agencies collaborated with the FBI to address potential risks during the event in the United States.
One threat surfaced during Argentina’s match against Jordan. An anonymous caller to Dallas Airport claimed that he and two others were heading to the stadium with homemade bombs and an AR-15 rifle. The threat mentioned police, players from both teams, and specifically Messi.
A separate threat appeared during Argentina’s game against Egypt. A social media post threatened Messi, stating an intent to enter Atlanta stadium and detonate bombs. Authorities also investigated a bomb threat at Atlanta Stadium claiming explosives had been placed in bins, leading to deployment of bomb squads and police.
Regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, the dossier noted a man inquiring about his movements on June 14. A FIFA employee alerted authorities, and Houston police arrested the individual on June 16 at the hotel where Ronaldo was staying.
