"I'll blow up Messi with four bombs": FBI and Police Reveal Shocking World Cup Incidents

During the World Cup, the FBI coordinated the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC), comprising US federal security agencies and police officers from participating nations, including Spain. Their mission was to track terrorist threats, threats against players, aggressive fans, and any incidents that could disrupt the tournament. The investigative channel of "Prensa Ibérica" gained exclusive access to the daily reports generated within this police bunker.

Lionel Messi was the target of most threats against players both before and during the World Cup. The most specific threat against Leo occurred when a man called Dallas airport, claiming he and two others were heading to the stadium where Argentina was playing Jordan, armed with "homemade bombs and an AR-15" (a semi-automatic rifle). In his message, they declared they would attack "police and players from both teams," but the alleged terrorist made "special mention of Lionel Messi," according to the security report.

Another Argentina match, against Egypt on July 7th, also became the subject of a threat investigated by the police command center. A user on the social media platform "X" wrote: "I'm about to enter the Atlanta stadium and blow up Messi with four bombs strapped to my body."

Several explosives specialists, K-9 handlers, and their service dogs searched the Atlanta stadium after another man called the police during the match, reporting he had left "three bombs" in three trash cans inside the venue.

Regarding harassment, Cristiano Ronaldo was the most targeted player. As early as June 14th, a FIFA official reported a "suspicious man" asking "detailed questions" about the Portuguese footballer's accommodation. Houston police identified and apprehended this man on the 16th, while he was at the hotel where Ronaldo was staying with his national team.

Another man was arrested in Toronto, Canada, for a very similar incident when Ronaldo was there. This time, the fan attempted to enter an elevator with the Portuguese star before being apprehended. He claimed he simply wanted a selfie with CR7.

Other incidents involving Cristiano occurred in Miami, where a man tried to reach him, and during the Portugal-Croatia match, when a fan wearing a Ronaldo jersey invaded the pitch.

Messi and Ronaldo were subjected to threats and harassment throughout the World Cup. During the tournament, several footballers were targeted due to incidents or mistakes made in matches. The most prominent case involved Kylian Mbappé, who was involved in a tense scene with the Paraguay goalkeeper.

Shortly after, the Real Madrid player began receiving "xenophobic" insults, according to police reports. Even a Paraguayan senator reprimanded him on the social media platform "X." Ultimately, an effigy of Mbappé "was burned and broadcast" on social media in Paraguay on July 5th and 6th, as documented in the daily reports from the police bunker.

Footballers who made mistakes during matches also received death threats. One of the most serious cases recorded in police reports involved Norwegian player Alexander Sørloth (from Atlético Madrid) and his wife, after the striker missed a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Threats were also made against Colombian player Jaminton Campaz for a missed opportunity. In fact, he was unable to return to his home country with the rest of his teammates after the World Cup. Police reports also documented threats against French defender Lucas Digne, who committed a clear penalty against Lamine Yamal during the France-Spain match.

A special case was that of coach Hong Myung-bo and the entire South Korean team, who were eliminated in the first round of the World Cup. All of them had to be "escorted by a large police cordon" to the airport after death threats were received against the entire national team.

However, the most severe case of threats against a sports official was suffered by French referee François Letexier, who had a highly controversial performance in the Argentina-Egypt match, which ended in a victory for the Argentinians. IPCC reports indicate that Letexier received "six thousand threatening messages on his personal WhatsApp," most of which originated from "Egyptian citizens."

The anger of Egyptian ultras even extended to the VAR assistant for that match, also a Frenchman, Willy Delajod. He too received death threats. In fact, police reports from the World Cup command center indicate that the homes and families of both referees in France had to receive increased security and police escort. This became necessary after numerous threats and the dissemination of their addresses on social media.