Lionel Messi memorabilia stolen during France riots

19 Oct 2026 04:30 CDT 2 min read

FT Desk

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The riots in France are causing chaos all around the country.

The unrest has been driven by a combination of economic stagnation and a growing dissatisfaction with the government. Rising living costs, concerns about wages and deteriorating public services have fuelled resentment among many ordinary people - young people in particular - while political tensions are increasing just six months ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Current President Emmanuel Macron condemned the riots and said there is "no room for violence in our Republic."

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Schools and education have become a focus for the protestors, with students raising concerns about teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate facilities. What began as demonstrations over specific issues has attracted support from wider groups, including trade unions and people frustrated with the government's handling of the economy.

❌🇫🇷 PROTESTAS EN FRANCIA: SE ROBARON UNA COLECCIÓN DE CAMISETAS DE MESSI 🔟

▶ Durante las fuertes manifestaciones en Francia, se produjeron saqueos en tiendas y oficinas, uno de los botines que se llevaron fue una colección de camisetas encuadradas de Leo Messi https://t.co/Kubp2yYtDg

— Diario Olé (@DiarioOle) October 18, 2026

Although many demonstrations have been peaceful, a lot have escalated into violence, with reports and viral videos of clashes between protesters and police. Authorities have blamed criminal and extremist groups for some of the violence, while the police response has also attracted criticism.

The protests in France began on 17 September 2026, initially in Creteil, a suburb southeast of Paris. They have since spread to other major cities like Marseille, while protests have also started in countries such as Spain and Portugal as young people grow concerned about the cost of living.

Aucune place pour la violence dans notre République.
Ceux qui ont cassé, attaqué les préfectures comme les commerces, pillé jusqu’à nos mairies, seront poursuivis et punis.
Aux forces de l’ordre, garantes du droit à manifester, je dis le soutien de la Nation.
Nous ferons tous bloc face aux semeurs de chaos, qui ne cherchent qu’à abattre nos institutions et empêchent ceux qui expriment pacifiquement leurs revendications de le faire.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 17, 2026