Assassination plot against Ronaldo and Messi during World Cup - Marca

Plans to assassinate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been hatched during the World Cup, Marca reported.

Argentina captain Messi has reportedly received more threats than any other player during the 2026 World Cup.

Ahead of Argentina's group stage match against Jordan, a man called Dallas airport and said he was going to the stadium with two other people. He said he was carrying improvised explosive devices and an AR-15 rifle. The threat specifically targeted Messi.

Ahead of Argentina's quarter-final against Egypt, another threat was made on social media about Messi. One of the suspects wrote that he was going to enter the stadium and blow up the Argentine player.

There were also reports of explosive devices in the stadium area during the match. Law enforcement officers searched the stadium with the help of sniffer dogs. However, no bomb was found and the report was found to be false.

Ronaldo has also been the target of threats. The report also mentions security incidents involving Cristiano Ronaldo. A FIFA employee reported a suspicious person to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who was trying to get information about the player's whereabouts. Houston police later arrested the person at the hotel where the Portugal national team is staying.

Another man was arrested in Toronto for trying to get into the same elevator as Ronaldo. He said he just wanted to take a picture with the player.