Leaked Police files reveal assassination plot against Lionel Messi during 2026 World Cup

---

A leaked US police report has uncovered a series of chilling terror plots targeting Lionel Messi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Argentine superstar receiving more death threats than any other player in the tournament.

The confidential dossier—prepared jointly by the FBI and the International Police Cooperation Centre (IPCC)—details a wave of security incidents investigated throughout the competition co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Spanish newspaper Informacion first reported on the leaked files, with Marca subsequently reviewing the documents

Suicide Bomb Threat Before Jordan Match

The most serious incident occurred before Argentina’s group-stage fixture against Jordan. According to the police report, a man called Dallas airport and claimed he and two accomplices were planning to storm the stadium carrying homemade bombs and an AR-15 rifle. The caller allegedly threatened to attack police officers and players from both teams, explicitly naming Messi as the primary target.

‘I’m Going to Blow Up Messi With Four Bombs’

A second threat emerged before Argentina’s Round of 16 match against Egypt in Atlanta on July 7. A user on X posted: “I’m about to enter the Atlanta stadium and blow up Messi with four bombs strapped to my body”.

During the same match, police received an anonymous call claiming three explosive devices had been placed inside rubbish bins around the stadium stands. Security forces launched an immediate emergency search operation, deploying bomb disposal experts and explosive-detection dogs to sweep the venue. No explosives were found, and authorities later confirmed the alert was a false alarm.

Ronaldo Also Targeted

The leaked dossier also revealed security incidents involving Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. A FIFA employee alerted authorities after a suspicious man was seen seeking information about Ronaldo’s accommodation. Two days later, Houston police arrested the individual inside the hotel where the Portuguese team was staying. In a separate Toronto incident, a fan attempted to enter an elevator with Ronaldo, later claiming he only wanted a selfie.

Referees Received Thousands of Death Threats

French referee François Letexier received more than 6,000 threatening messages on his personal WhatsApp after officiating the controversial Argentina-Egypt match, with most allegedly sent by Egyptian citizens. VAR referee Willy Delajod was also targeted. The threats became so serious that French authorities provided additional police protection at both referees’ homes.

Broader Security Challenges

Other players affected included Kylian Mbappé, whose effigy was burned in Paraguay following an altercation; Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth, who received death threats alongside his wife after missing a scoring opportunity; and Colombian forward Jáminton Campaz, who was reportedly unable to return home after the tournament due to threats following a missed penalty. The entire South Korean squad also received death threats following their first-round elimination.

Despite the alarming nature of the threats, security officials were able to investigate each alert and maintain protection around affected venues and players throughout the tournament.