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Ester Cunio, a 90-year-old Jewish woman narrated how name-dropping Lionel Messi saved her from the clutches of kidnappers.
Amidst the chaos of a Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, a remarkable tale emerged of Lionel Messi's unexpected influence in a dire situation. Reports from Spain shed light on Messi's role in rescuing an Argentine grandmother from the clutches of Hamas abductors.
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Messi’s name saved 90-year-old woman from harm
The tranquillity of the Israeli Kibbutz Nir Oz was shattered as armed intruders forcefully entered the home of 90-year-old Ester Cunio and her family. The terrifying ordeal unfolded amidst the chaos of the Hamas attack, with Cunio and her relatives thrust into a situation of imminent danger and uncertainty.
In a twist of fate, Cunio's revelation of her Argentine nationality and her passion for football, particularly her admiration for Lionel Messi, served as an unexpected lifeline. Despite the tension and fear, Cunio's reference to Messi struck a chord with one of the assailants, sparking a surprising change in demeanor and ultimately contributing to her safety.
Grandmother's Plea
While Cunio herself was spared from harm, the trauma of the ordeal was far from over as her grandchildren were taken captive by the assailants. In a heartfelt plea, Cunio turned to Messi for assistance, expressing her gratitude for her own rescue while fervently appealing for his intervention to ensure the safe return of her beloved grandchildren.
"I told him that I speak in Argentine, in Spanish. I didn't understand his language. The Arab language, and I speak poor Hebrew. I speak Argentinean Spanish, so he asks what Argentina is. Then I tell him, 'do you watch football?' He said he liked it and I told him I am from Messi's country. He was surprised and told me he loves Messi. He put his arm on my shoulder, gave me his gun, he made me do the peace sign and they snapped the picture."
With her own safety secured, Cunio's focus shifted to the plight of her grandchildren, whose fate remained uncertain in the hands of their captors. In a heartfelt plea, she implored Messi to use his influence and resources to pray for their safe return, emphasizing the immense value of their lives and the urgency of their situation.
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