Argentine Fan Sentenced to Prison Over Extortion Plot Targeting Ángel Di María
An Argentinian football supporter received a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence for threatening World Cup champion Ángel Di María to prevent him from returning to his home country, Aftonbladet reported. The 45-year-old organizer utilized gunfire and a severed pig’s head bearing a bullet to intimidate the veteran midfielder away from a potential transfer to his childhood club, Rosario Central.
Court Sentencing and Legal Penalties in Rosario
Judicial proceedings previously resulted in a 25-year-old woman receiving a three-and-a-half-year sentence as a co-conspirator in the same case. Argentinian authorities also identified a third suspect linked to the auxiliary efforts surrounding the threats.
Threats Involving Gunfire and Intimidation Tactics
The convicted supporter targeted Di María’s family network to derail the athlete’s anticipated homecoming. Expressen detailed that the perpetrator orchestrated gunfire near a property owned by the player in Argentina. Furthermore, the conspirators placed a pig’s head pierced with a bullet and an explicit threat directed at Di María’s daughter outside a real estate agency owned by the player’s sister.
Career Timeline and Subsequent Return to Rosario Central
Di María initially paused his plans to join his hometown team due to security concerns raised by the violent threats. Throughout his extensive career, the midfielder represented major European institutions including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Benfica, and Juventus, alongside securing the 2022 World Cup title with Argentina. Despite the prior intimidation, the transfer proceeded in 2025, allowing the 38-year-old player to join Rosario Central and immediately lead the squad to a championship title.