Lionel Messi is not just an icon in his soccer-crazy home country of Argentina, but a hero. However, that did not stop gunmen from attacking the grocery store owned by his wife's family and leaving him with a threatening message.

The attack happened in Messi's hometown of Rosario, which was noted for its crazy celebrations when Argentina won the World Cup. There were two gunmen, and they specifically targeted the Unico supermarket, which is widely known to be owned by the parents of Antonella Roccuzzo, Messi's wife.

According to TMZ, the two gunmen left the Paris Saint-Germain forward an ominous message, reading, "Messi, we're waiting for you."

At least a dozen shots were fired during the attack, but miraculously, nobody was injured. However, there was some property damage, including a glass window belonging to Antonella's family's supermarket.

Attack May Have Been Directed at the Mayor of Rosario, Argentina, and Not Really at Lionel Messi

However, the full message was that the attackers who shot up the store did not just mention Lionel Messi but also the mayor of Rosario, Argentina. Pablo Javkin. After calling Messi out, the message reads that Javkin is "also a drug trafficker, so he won't take care of you."

Rosario authorities are now reviewing security camera footage from the attack as part of their preliminary investigation. Prosecutor Federico Rebola noted that this was the first time that Messi and his family have been attacked or threatened in such a violent manner.

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Mayor Javkin is part of the opposition against the current Alberto Fernandez administration ruling Argentina. He has recently demanded that federal security forces crackdown on drug traffickers and criminal gang activity in Rosario, according to CBS Sports.

The mayor then slammed the national police for not clamping down on crime as he went to the scene of the attack. "Where are the people who are supposed to protect us?" he asked.

The attack on the store was considered bold, as it happened in broad daylight. The two attackers came to the store via motorcycle before one of them jumped off the bike and opened fire into the Racuzzo-owned store.

Attack Against Store Owned by Lionel Messi's In-Laws May Have Been Drug-Related

Meanwhile, local police think that the message left by the two gunmen in the Rosario Unico Supermarket was a likely attempt to attract attention and not really a threat against the Argentinian soccer great or his family.

However, the attack did grab national and even global attention, with federal government Security Minister Aníbal Fernández weighing in and saying that the attack was typical of the drug-related violence that has been plaguing Rosario. Meanwhile, opposition politicians are blaming President Alberto Fernandez for the continuing violence in the city.

According to Marca, Rosario has been plagued by gang violence for years, and it was one of the most affected cities in Argentina. Drug gangs are prevalent in the city, with many hitting the Fernandez government for failing to curb the continued attacks by these drug organizations.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Gunmen leave message for Lionel Messi - Associated Press