Real Madrid defender Éder Militão has become the latest high-profile footballer to fall victim to a burglary in Spain, after thieves reportedly stole valuables worth more than €350,000 from his home during the first El Clásico of the La Liga season.
The incident took place while Militão was watching from the dugout as Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Barcelona. The Brazilian defender was not on the pitch, but the excitement surrounding one of football’s biggest fixtures appears to have provided an opportunity for burglars to target his property.
According to reports by Spanish media outlets, at least two unidentified individuals entered an upstairs room of Militão’s residence between 9pm and 10pm, during the first half of the match. At the time, several members of his family were watching the game on the ground floor. They reportedly remained unaware that intruders had entered the property.
The burglars made their way into the defender’s bedroom, where they searched through his belongings and stole several expensive watches, designer handbags, jewellery and other personal possessions.
A report by El Mundo provided details of some of the missing items. Among the most valuable were two luxury watches: a Rolex worth approximately €53,000 and a Richard Mille timepiece valued at around €170,000.
The stolen property also included three Chanel handbags, reportedly worth a combined €15,000, as well as a Cartier ring and bracelet valued at approximately €25,000. Several other pieces of jewellery, additional bracelets and suitcases were also taken.
The total value of the stolen belongings is estimated to exceed €350,000, equivalent to approximately five crore Bangladeshi taka. The loss represents a significant financial blow, although the personal and sentimental value of some of the missing possessions may be difficult to measure.
Militão reportedly discovered the burglary after returning home following the match. The fact that his relatives were present in the house when the theft occurred has raised further concerns about the circumstances surrounding the break-in. The intruders apparently managed to enter, carry out the theft and leave without attracting the attention of anyone inside.
The incident is the latest in a series of burglaries involving prominent footballers in Spain. Players’ homes can become attractive targets when they are away attending matches, travelling with their clubs or taking part in major sporting events. The public nature of professional footballers’ schedules and the visibility of their lifestyles can also create security challenges.
One of the most serious previous incidents involved former Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In 2022, armed robbers broke into his home and assaulted him in front of his family. The attack left the Gabonese striker with a broken jaw, highlighting the potentially violent nature of such crimes.
Other football personalities have reportedly experienced similar incidents this month. Real Betis striker Troy Parrott and former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico have also been reported as victims of robberies.
Militão’s case has once again brought attention to the security risks faced by professional footballers away from the pitch. While their sporting commitments often place them in the public eye, protecting their families, homes and personal belongings remains a significant concern.
Details about the suspects, the progress of the investigation and whether any of the stolen possessions have been recovered have not yet been disclosed in the reports cited.
