Argentine soccer striker's complex robbed; he asks them to "please bring his belongings back"
Adrian 'Maravilla' Martinez, who was imprisoned in 2014, wants to give thieves a second chance
The sports complex of Racing de Avellaneda striker Adrian "Maravilla" Martinez was robbed early Sunday morning in the city of Campana, Buenos Aires province. The incident had a strong impact on the community, not only because it was a private initiative with social aims, but also because of the release of the security camera footage and the public message directed at those responsible for the crime.
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The social media accounts of the complex, identified as “Complejo Adrian Martinez,” published images captured by security cameras showing several young people entering the premises and taking various items. Along with the video footage, the complex's management posted a direct message to the thieves: “Guys, unfortunately, we already know who you are and where you took the things. Please bring them back!”
The statement didn't end there. In the same post, the complex included a clear warning about the steps to take if the items are not returned. “It’s not necessary for us to file a report and have their parents’ homes raided for the things they took and the mess they made… we’ll be waiting for them,” they added, maintaining a firm tone but appealing for a resolution without major legal consequences, considering that Martinez himself was in pretrial detention in 2014.
The Stolen Items and the Police Intervention
As was later detailed, the young men entered the complex through a window of the cafeteria and stole essential items for the daily operation of the premises. Among the stolen items were a television, speakers, a gas cylinder, a cell phone, and 1,500,000 pesos, about 1,000 dollars, in cash. All of these items were used for the development of the sports and recreational activities that take place there.
Hours after the initial publication,The complex's authorities shared new Instagram stories showing the arrival of police vehicles and the start of the investigation. This confirmed the intervention of law enforcement to identify those responsible and recover the stolen items.
A Project with Strong Social Value
The Adrian Martinez Complex was officially inaugurated in April 2024 and became a personal project of great significance for the Racing striker. Located on Moreno Street at 1700, in the Campana district, the grounds were designed as a space for young people and families to develop various sports and social activities.
In April of this year, Martinez himself expressed his excitement about the growth of the place through a message on social media. "When everyone saw a worthless field and dry land, we looked on with faith that this place would grow and prosper," he wrote at the time. He then added: “It took a lot of hard work, effort, and saying no to many things, but we achieved it together, and today it’s no longer just an alley, but a complex, a place that will provide many anecdotes and football stories.” And he concluded with a phrase that resonates again today: “For those who believe, everything is possible.”

