Roma Midfielder Neil El Aynaoui Robbed at Gunpoint: Latest Victim in Giallorossi Burglary Blues
Neil El Aynaoui and his family endured a frightening armed robbery at their Rome home, with thieves stealing €10,000 in jewellery, a Rolex, and designer bags. This incident follows a string of break-ins targeting Roma and Lazio players like Wesley and Chris Smalling. The midfielder will skip Tuesday training ahead of Roma's Europa League clash with Bologna.
Roma Star's Nightmare Home Invasion – Guns, Bling and a Missed Training Session
Picture this: you're Neil El Aynaoui, fresh off celebrating a cracker of a goal against FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League, dreaming of Europa glory. Then, at 3 a.m., your peaceful kip in Castel Fusano – posh spot for Roma and Lazio lads – turns into a proper horror flick. A gang of six armed blokes smash through your living room window, guns waving like they're auditioning for a Scorsese remake.
As reported by Peter Young at Football Italia, the Moroccan midfielder was first to stir, facing down the intruders with his mum, brother and their other halves. The robbers herded them into a room like naughty schoolkids, then rifled through the place, nicking €10,000 worth of jewellery, a shiny Rolex and a haul of designer handbags. No one hurt, thank goodness, but it's the stuff of nightmares.
A Chilling Pattern for the Eternal City's Ballers
Blimey, this isn't El Aynaoui's solo tragedy – it's Roma's recurring robbery soap opera. Recent victims include Wesley, Mario Gila and Matias Vecino, with Lazio's Mattia Zaccagni and Toma Basic also in the unlucky club. Going further back, Chris Smalling, Philippe Mexes and even Christian Panucci have had their homes turned over.
Castel Fusano's meant to be a safe haven for these pros, but it feels like burglars have a season ticket. Italian cops are on it, but fans are fuming – is it time for armed guards at every back garden? Or maybe Roma should kit out homes with VAR tech to spot intruders offside.
The gang scarpered before dawn, leaving the family shaken but intact. El Aynaoui wasted no time grassing to the club, who's giving him the day off training. Fair play – who'd fancy footie drills after that?
Europa Disruptions and Bigger Questions
Timing's rotten: Roma face Bologna in the Europa League round of 16 decider on Thursday. El Aynaoui's been a revelation this season, bagging that opener in the 5-1 thrashing of Midtjylland at the Olimpico. Will he shake it off for the big clash? Mourinho's lads need every ounce of fight, especially with the league phase wrapped and knockout footy beckoning.
This spree's got Italian media buzzing. La Gazzetta dello Sport reckons it's organised crime targeting flash footballers – easy marks with pricey gear on show via Insta. Roma and Lazio might wanna chat community security, or we're in for more headlines like this.
Spare a thought for El Aynaoui, who's swapped pitch battles for real-life villains. From pre-season scraps with Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara to this, life's throwing curveballs. Here's hoping he slots back in, scores a belter against Bologna, and the coppers nab these cowboys pronto.
Football's mad enough without home invasions. Stay safe, lads – lock those windows tighter than a back four.