Lionel Messi latest subject of antisemitic theories, says monitoring group
timesofisrael.com
Lionel Messi is now a target of antisemitic conspiracy theories tied to the 2026 World Cup — why do high-profile events keep spawning this same pattern of scapegoating?
Scapegoat TheoryConspiracy Theory DiffusionIn-Group/Out-Group BiasMoral Panic
Theory Briefing
- A monitoring group flagged Messi as the latest celebrity pulled into antisemitic online theories connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The pattern mirrors historical scapegoating — attaching Jewish conspiracy narratives to a globally visible event and a universally recognized face.
- Online platforms continue to amplify these theories, raising questions about how viral reach turns fringe claims into widely seen content.
- Messi joins a string of public figures recently targeted, suggesting the 2026 World Cup has become a focal point for coordinated antisemitic messaging.