A 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has received serious threats from a gang in Argentina, warning him that family members of his will be killed if he does not do as they say.
In a sinister turn of events, Albiceleste star Angel Di Maria has received death threats on the lives of his family members.
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According to police sources cited by Infobae, a note was left at the player's family home on the outskirts of Rosario on Monday, amid reports of wave of drug-related violence taking place in the city.
The message read: "Tell your son Angel not to come back to Rosario because we will kill a family member.
"Not even Pullaro is going to save you," it added, referring to the provincial governor Maximiliano Pullaro.
"We don't leave paper notes. We leave bullets and dead people behind."
While police are said to be still investigating the motive behind the threats, local media claims that this in response to an earlier statement from Di Maria to TyC Sports, confirming his desire to return to his boyhood club, Rosario Central.
"I would like to return to Rosario Central, this year or the year after. The illusion of returning to the Gigante de Arroyito is there. That moment will come," the 36-year-old, whose contract at Benfica expires in June, said at the time.
Esteban Santantino, who works in security in Argentina's local government, told Argentine broadcaster Todo Noticias: "That kind of threat brings a lot of social commotion and that is their aim – to make the population scared, hit public figures."
With the reigning world champions set to face Costa Rica in the early hours of Wednesday morning, national team coach Lionel Scaloni showed calm in the wake of the situation, revealing that he will start Di Maria for the match.
"Di Maria knows that he has our full support for whatever he needs. The important thing is that he plays, that will relax him a little," the tactician told reporters.
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Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who also hails from Rosario, received similar threats last year, when his wife's family supermarket was shot at and a threatening note was left behind.
"Messi. We are waiting for you. [Mayor Pablo] Javkin is a narco. He's not going to look after you," that message read.
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