Non-Football Life

Lionel Messi’s brother Matias’ house in the Argentine city of Rosario was the target of a drive-by shooting by unidentified gunmen on Friday night.

According to police reports, the Barcelona star’s brother and mother, who was visiting at the time, narrowly avoided tragedy as bullets showered the house in an unexplained attack. Two men on a motorbike pulled up outside the house on the south side of Rosario and opened fire with a 9mm pistol, leaving at least eight bullet holes in the walls and gates as well as several in neighbouring properties, according to witnesses in the area.

Despite the hail of gunfire nobody inside the house was hurt, and the assailants took off immediately afterwards. The motives for the shooting are unknown, and Messi’s neighbours were quick to defend him and his family against any suggestion of unsavoury dealings. “The kids are all lovely, the sister-in law, the children, Messi’s brother, all lovely people,” one lady who didn’t wish to be identified told a local newspaper reporter. Another specified that the attack occurred around 11pm on Friday evening and her shop was hit three times, but nothing else happened. So far there has been no comment on the situation from the Messi family or Rosario police.

Lionel Messi is seeking further advice over pictures of him were used in a political campaign without his permission.

Lawyer Ricardo Giusepponi said Messi would take legal action against legislator Alfredo Olmedo because ‘he never consented’ to having his photo used in the campaign. The picture shows Lionel Messi hugging a legislator, with the slogan ‘Say yes to sport, say no to drugs.’

Ricardo Giusepponi said: ‘The photo may be a sham. It may have been taken at Ezeiza airport (in Buenos Aires), where Lionel is greeted by so many people. He certainly did not know who that person was and his position,’ ‘Lionel supports no one. He has nothing to do with party politics,’ “With the injunction want to know why they have done, and we reserve the right to initiate legal action,” the lawyer added.

The story came to light last Friday in Salta deputy campaign posters showing him with Lio Messi under the caption: “Yes the sports, not drugs. Olmedo governor.” “No one can act freely bandied about,” said Giusepponi, and clarified that the Barça star “is not triggering on partisan politics and is not supporting any candidate.” It also expressed “disappointment” that the appearance of the posters produced in the family of Lio Messi, whose father George was asked to initiate the judicial path

Lionel Messi has signed a deal with Italian Fashion giants Dolce & Gabbana. The sneaky photo can be seen on the right.

Dolce & Gabbana have previously dealt with football fashion, with the Italian national side and also club teams AC Milan and Chelsea. Past players to wear Dolce & Gabbana has included Cannavaro, Pirlo, Gattuso and Zambrotta, now it is turn of the best in Lionel Messi.

What do you think about this deal? Will it effect Messi’s on future clothing brand?

Meanwhile, Carlos Puyol believes that Inter Milan would struggle to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona after Inters president Massimo Moratti recently said he would like to recruit the Barcelona ace.

Carlos Puyol said: “I do not find it strange that they dream about signing him,” the Spain international told the club’s official website. “But I think it would be difficult. I hope that Leo never leaves Barca.”