On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Argentina soccer superstar Lionel Messi was threatened by gunmen who opened fire at a supermarket owned by his in-laws in the city of Rosario, Argentina. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, and fortunately, no one was injured. However, the attack has raised concerns about the surge in drug-related violence in the city.
Rosario is the third-largest city in Argentina, located about 190 miles (300 kilometers) northwest of the capital of Buenos Aires. The city has been grappling with drug-related violence for years, and the recent attack on Messi has only highlighted the severity of the situation. The gunmen who attacked the Unico supermarket, owned by the family of Messi’s wife, left a written message on cardboard, which read, “Messi, we’re waiting for you. Javkin is also a drug trafficker, so he won’t take care of you.”
The incident has sparked outrage among the people of Rosario, with many criticizing federal authorities for their failure to curb the surge in drug-related violence. The city’s mayor, Pablo Javkin, visited the supermarket after the attack and lashed out at federal authorities for their lack of action. Javkin has been vocal about the need to tackle drug-related violence in the city, but his calls for action have largely gone unanswered.
The attack on Messi has also raised questions about the safety of high-profile individuals in Argentina. Messi is one of the most famous soccer players in the world, and his status has made him a target for criminals. This is not the first time Messi has been targeted by criminals in Argentina. In 2016, his childhood home was robbed while he was playing a match for Barcelona, and in 2019, he was the victim of an extortion plot.
The attack on Messi has also highlighted the impact of drug-related violence on businesses in Rosario. The Unico supermarket is just one of many businesses in the city that have been affected by the surge in violence. Business owners in Rosario have been forced to deal with extortion, theft, and other criminal activities, which have taken a toll on their operations.
In conclusion, the attack on Lionel Messi in Rosario has raised concerns about the surge in drug-related violence in the city. The incident has highlighted the need for federal authorities to take action to tackle the issue and ensure the safety of high-profile individuals and businesses in the city. The attack on Messi is a reminder that no one is immune to the impact of drug-related violence, and that it is the responsibility of everyone to work together to create a safer and more secure community.
