Leaked Police Dossier Reveals Messi Was The Most Threatened Player At The 2026 World Cup
While fans were busy soaking in the drama of Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, it turns out there was a far darker story unfolding behind the scenes one involving alleged bomb threats, a suicide attack plot, and Lionel Messi as the central target.
What’s In The Leaked Dossier?
According to a police document reportedly obtained by Spanish outlet Informacion.es and first reported on by The Sun, Argentina captain Lionel Messi was at the centre of several serious security threats throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The most alarming incident reportedly occurred ahead of Argentina’s group-stage clash with Jordan. A man allegedly phoned Dallas Airport claiming he and two accomplices were planning to storm the stadium armed with hand grenades and a rifle. The caller reportedly said police officers and players from both sides were targets, but Messi was specifically named.
A separate, equally chilling threat surfaced online during Argentina’s Round of 16 match against Egypt, with a social media user allegedly claiming they intended to strap explosives to themselves and target Messi inside the stadium. That post was reportedly deleted shortly after, and authorities launched an investigation. During the same match, police also received a warning claiming multiple bombs had been planted inside bins in the stadium stands, triggering a full search involving bomb disposal experts and sniffer dogs though nothing was ultimately found.
Messi Wasn’t The Only One Targeted
The dossier reportedly shows that threats extended beyond Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo was also flagged as a security concern after a FIFA employee reported a suspicious individual asking for details about his accommodation, and in a separate incident, a fan reportedly managed to enter Ronaldo’s hotel and attempt to join him in a lift, later telling police he only wanted a selfie.
Match officials didn’t escape the abuse either French referee François Letexier reportedly received thousands of threatening messages during the tournament.
Why This Is Only Coming Out Now
The security threats were reportedly kept largely under wraps during the tournament itself, with authorities working quietly behind the scenes rather than making the scale of the danger public. A joint security operation involving the FBI and international police cooperation networks worked throughout the World Cup to identify and neutralise these threats before they could escalate.
It’s worth noting this isn’t the first time Messi and his family have faced targeted threats. Back in 2023, gunmen opened fire on a supermarket in Rosario, Argentina, owned by the family of Messi’s wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, leaving behind a menacing note referencing the star directly a stark reminder that security concerns around Messi have followed him well beyond football stadiums.
Wahala Network Take
For all the joy the 2026 World Cup brought fans watching from home, this leaked dossier is a sobering reminder of what goes on behind the cameras to keep players safe. Spain may have lifted the trophy after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final, but it’s now clear just how much extra weight security teams were carrying throughout the tournament especially around arguably the most-watched man in the sport.
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