During the FIFA World Cup 2026, Argentina captain Lionel Messi reportedly faced serious threats of terror, as revealed by a leaked police document. He was not alone, as several other players also encountered alarming attempts at attacks throughout the tournament.

Serious Threats Against Messi

According to a Spanish newspaper, the police dossier detailed multiple incidents of bomb threats, stalking, and online harassment directed at players. One of the most alarming threats occurred prior to Argentina's match against Jordan on June 28, when an individual claimed to be heading to the Dallas Stadium with explosives. This caller stated that he and two accomplices were armed with "homemade bombs and an AR-15" and intended to target both police officers and players, specifically mentioning Messi.

Another significant threat emerged during the July 7 match between Argentina and Egypt, when a user on X announced intentions to enter Atlanta's stadium with explosives strapped to their body to target Messi. On the same day, authorities received a call from a man claiming to have placed "three bombs" in trash cans within the stadium, prompting a thorough security search by explosives specialists and K-9 units during and after the match.

Other Players Targeted

Messi was not the only footballer facing harassment during the tournament. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and French star Kylian Mbappe also encountered significant threats. Ronaldo was reportedly the most harassed player, with one individual arrested for attempting to gather information about his accommodations in Houston, while another fan tried to enter an elevator with him in Canada.

Kylian Mbappe faced xenophobic insults following a confrontation with the Paraguayan goalkeeper, and fans even burned an effigy of him after France eliminated Paraguay from the tournament on July 4. Referee Francois Letexier was also targeted, receiving over 6,000 messages on his personal WhatsApp after a controversial match between Egypt and Argentina in the Round of 16.

The disturbing nature of these threats highlights the challenges faced by players during high-stakes tournaments like the World Cup, underscoring the need for heightened security measures to ensure their safety.