Ex Man City Star Becomes Victim of Violent Robbery in His Home

Ex Man City Star Becomes Victim of Violent Robbery in His Home

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:53 PM
  • Otamendi was assaulted by four individuals in his home and had a belt tied around his neck to compel him to comply
  • The assailants made away with watches and money, and investigations are already underway
  • The incident happened when Otamendi got home from a Primera Liga match on Sunday

Former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi was recently the victim of a horrifying robbery incident in his home in Portugal.

Nicolas Otamendi
Former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi was recently the victim of a horrifying robbery incident in his home in Portugal. Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez.
Source: Getty Images

Otamendi, who currently plays for Benfica, encountered four assailants at his home in what was a violent robbery.

According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha. the assailants went ahead to tie a belt around the defender’s neck and proceeded to steal watches and money from the star.

It was further reported that the incident took place as the defender came back home from the Primera Liga game against Famalicao on Sunday, December 12.

Sadly enough, the incident also took place when Otamendi’s wife and child were home.

The assailants ambushed the defender before he got into the house, forcing him to open the door and inside was the defender’s family in a state of panic.

The Portuguese Judiciary Police have already started investigations into the incident, although no arrests have been made thus far.

Benfica have since released a statement on the same, saying:

“Benfica confirms that its player Nico Otamendi was the victim of a robbery at his home during the early hours of today.
“The player and his family are doing well, despite the enormous discomfort generated by the situation they are experiencing.
"Benfica asks that the privacy of the player and his family be respected by all the media, pending the completion of the investigations initiated by the authorities.”

Since the incident, private security agents have been deployed in Otamendi’s home.

The defender played the full 90 minutes as Benfica ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Famalicao, and arrived home in the wee hours of Monday morning.

So far, he has made 55 appearances for the Portuguese outfit since moving to Portugal in the summer of 2020 in from Manchester City in a deal that saw Ruben Dias go the other way.

The worrying trend of footballer assaults

Otamendi is only the latest high profile football star who has been the victim of a robbery, and was unlucky that his case ended up being violent.

Notably, the incidents ran across various leagues across Europe as recently, Arsenal defender Gabriel had to fend off thugs who attempted to steal his car from his garage in London.

In may 2020, Tottenham star Delle Ali also robbed at gun point as burglars broke into his home.

Here are 11 other football stars who have experienced violent robberies in recent years.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
Tags
World