An image of Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi crying blood was on Wednesday released by terror group Isis online in a threatening message to the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.
“You are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary,” the message read with a doctored image of Messi standing behind bars.
The image was released by a pro-Isis media group and tweeted by the SITE Intelligence Group, a think tank on Tuesday.
The image also includes the words “Just Terrorism”, a possible dig at Nike’s catchphrase “Just do it”.
In the past few months, a number of threatening posts have emerged targeting the World Cup in Russia.
Isis has targeted football before. It had taken responsibility after a bomb was set off outside the Stade de France even as France hosted Germany in a friendly.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!