Attack on Antonela Roccuzzo’s Family Supermarket Sends Shockwaves

On March 2, 2025, a violent attack targeted a supermarket owned by the family of Antonela Roccuzzo, wife of football legend Lionel Messi, in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina. The assault, carried out by two gunmen on a motorcycle, involved at least 14 shots fired at the Supermercado Unico, located in the Lavalle district, and left a chilling handwritten note addressed to Messi: “Messi, we’re waiting for you. Javkin is a narco, he won’t take care of you.” The message also referenced Rosario’s mayor, Pablo Javkin, escalating the incident’s impact.

The attack occurred in the early hours, around 2 a.m., when the supermarket was closed, ensuring no injuries. The assailants fired bullets into the store’s metal shutters and front door, causing significant damage. Security camera footage captured one gunman shooting while his accomplice drove the motorcycle, and police later recovered bullet casings and the threatening note at the scene. Rosario authorities, including prosecutor Federico Rébola, confirmed the Roccuzzo family had not received prior threats, making the motive unclear, though some reports suggested a possible extortion attempt linked to Messi’s wealth.

Messi, who was in France with Paris Saint-Germain at the time, and Roccuzzo did not comment publicly, but the incident shook their families. Mayor Javkin visited the supermarket, expressing solidarity with the Roccuzzos and criticizing federal security forces for failing to curb Rosario’s escalating drug-related violence. “I spoke with [the Roccuzzos], and they are worried,” Javkin told reporters, as cited by Reuters. The city, a major port, has seen a surge in gang activity, with 287 murders in 2022, 70% linked to drug trafficking, according to The Mirror.

Despite the attack, the supermarket reopened later that day with police protection, demonstrating the family’s resilience. The incident drew global attention due to Messi’s stature, with Argentina’s justice minister, Celia Arena, labeling it “terrorism” by a mafia group aiming to intimidate the public, per NBC News. Authorities are reviewing additional surveillance footage to identify the perpetrators, but no arrests have been reported.

The threatening message, combined with the violent nature of the attack, has raised concerns about the safety of Messi’s family in Rosario, where he owns a lavish estate known as “The Fortress.” The couple, married since 2017 and parents to three sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, have deep ties to the city. This incident underscores the challenges faced by high-profile figures in areas plagued by organized crime, leaving fans and officials alike alarmed about the audacity of the attack on the Roccuzzo family’s business.