The trap of living in luxury

Five footballers including Sergio Rico, Moriba, Gulácsi, Antony and Parrott have been robbed or targeted in home invasions within two weeks, exposing security vulnerabilities despite alarms and private guards.

Five professional footballers have suffered robberies or attempted break-ins at their homes in less than two weeks, highlighting a growing security crisis affecting high-profile players across Spain.

Sergio Rico, the former Sevilla goalkeeper, was targeted on Monday 19 October while dining with his family in Bollullos de la Mitación, Seville. Five armed, masked men entered his home around 10 p.m. and carried out a violent robbery. That same night, Ilaix Moriba's house in Nigrán, Pontevedra was also burgled while empty, with thieves stealing cash and jewellery.

The incidents follow earlier attacks on Peter Gulácsi and Antony. On 12 October, armed men broke into Villarreal goalkeeper Gulácsi's home while he rested with his family; his wife was threatened and his children were asleep. The robbers spent 40 minutes inside, stealing watches, bags and items valued at around €200,000. Gulácsi, who lives in a gated community with private security and an alarm system, was unable to play Villarreal's Champions League match against Napoli and requested privacy for his family.

Two days later, Antony was robbed while playing for Betis in a Champions League match against Porto at La Cartuja. On 17 October, Troy Parrott's home in Bormujos was targeted during the Betis-Barcelona match, though the intruders left empty-handed.