Lionel Messi's family has been the target of yet another violent robbery in Argentina, this time having reportedly been robbed of $22 000 (R413 316) at gunpoint.
In March 2023, the supermarket belonging to Messi's wife Antonela Roccuzzo was attacked by unknown criminals, with the group said to have fired 14 shots at the store and left a threatening note for the Inter Miami star, according to ESPN.
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The message, which was written on a piece of cardboard, read: "Messi, we are waiting for you. [Rosario mayor Pablo] Javkin is a drug dealer. He is not going to look after you."
Another attack has now occurred, but this time the incident took place in a car driven by the store's employees in Rosario.
According to Infobae, the workers were on their way to deposit money at the bank when unknown individuals wielding guns forced the vehicle to stop.
An amount of $22 000 was stolen, and the windows of the Chevrolet driven by Roccuzzo's cousin was smashed while two other employees were in the car.
It is alleged that after taking two bags of cash, the criminals shot up the car. Fortunately, though, the victims were left with only minor bruises and in a state of shock.
"We were going from the supermarket to the bank to deposit the money," one of the employees told members of the media, according to Marca.
"They broke our windows and took our bags. There was a car for sure, because I saw them get into one.
"At the moment when everything started, all I heard were gunshots. When we got out, we saw the bullet hole."
The head of the city's radio command, Diego Santamaria, said that they are now examining surveillance footage from the area in order to find the culprits.
"The shot was apparently fired when the car tried to get away," Santamaria said.
"They were leaving the supermarket and going to a nearby bank.
"At 5pm, they were approached by a white car, the glass was broken and the bags with the large sum of money were taken."
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