Messi received most death threats during World Cup

Lionel Messi faced the most death threats among all footballers during the recent World Cup, according to a comprehensive police report examined by the Spanish newspaper Marca. The report revealed alarming online messages, including one man who threatened to detonate four bombs on Messi before a match between Argentina and Egypt. Investigators found no explosives after a thorough search, confirming it as a false alarm.

The same report detailed a separate threat where an individual planned to infiltrate a Jordan vs. Argentina match armed with homemade explosives and an AR-15 rifle. While this specific threat did not materialize, it highlights the intense security concerns surrounding the tournament.

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One man threatened to blow up Messi with four bombs.

Beyond Messi, other figures also faced threats. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal was also a target of numerous threats, leading to several arrests. The referees officiating the matches were not spared either. French referee Francois Letexier, for instance, received over six thousand hate messages following the Argentina vs. Egypt match in the Round of 16, underscoring the high-pressure environment and intense scrutiny faced by officials.

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Francois Letexier received over six thousand hate messages.