Pig's head, shots and threats. The fan tried to stop Di Maria from returning

Rosario, the city that gave birth to such football stars as Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, has always been divided into two camps: the fans of Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys. The rivalry between these clubs is more than just a sport - it is a matter of local identity, pride and emotions running high. When rumors emerged in 2024 that Di Maria, world football star and 2022 world champion, was considering returning to his hometown of Rosario Central, the city was in an uproar.

Behind the scenes of Di Maria's intimidation

What was supposed to be the hero's return home turned into a nightmare. Sergio Di Vanni, a 45-year-old fan associated with Newell's Old Boys ultras, decided to stop Di Maria at all costs. The court in Rosario found that Di Vanni ordered a series of acts of intimidation that were intended to discourage the footballer from playing for a local rival.

The shocking actions included: shots fired near the guarded estate where Di Maria owns real estate, as well as a macabre incident - a pig's head with gunshot marks appeared in front of the real estate agency run by the footballer's sister. That's not all. Di Maria's family also received threatening messages threatening his daughter.

Who else was involved in the terror campaign?

The prosecutor's office determined that Di Vanni did not act alone. In June 2026, 25-year-old Belen Gutierrez, named as an accomplice, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after reaching a plea agreement. The third suspect is still in pre-trial detention.

According to investigators, the entire intimidation campaign was part of an internal power struggle among Newell's Old Boys ultras, and for carrying out the threats, the perpetrators were to receive four million pesos - the equivalent of approximately $2,600.

Argentine championship

The threats turned out to be so serious that Angel Di Maria initially gave up his plans to return to his homeland. The safety of his loved ones became a priority. However, after a few months, the player changed his mind. In 2025, at the age of 38, he signed a contract with Rosario Central and led his club to the Argentine championship.

A harsh sentence for the fan

The court in Rosario had no doubts about Di Vanni's guilt. In addition to threats against Di Maria, the sentence also included other crimes related to activities in the fan group. Seven and a half years in prison is one of the harshest sentences in the history of Argentine football when it comes to fan-related crimes.