FORMER ITALY star Alessio Cerci reportedly fought off gun-wielding thugs who tried to rob his luxury watch.
The incident took place on Wednesday just before midnight.
AP:Associated PressAlessio Cerci, left, fended off the thugs[/caption]
The 35-year-old was walking back to his car in Portuense, Rome when he was approached by two bandits.
They brandished a gun and asked Cerci for his watch, but the former winger realised it was a fake, according to Corriere della Sera.
So he continued to his car and ended up driving off – but not before launching insults at the pair.
The former AC Milan and Roma star reportedly avoided injury and he has since provided police with descriptions of the two assailants.
The pair are wanted by police, and authorities believe they may have used the fake gun to scare other victims.
Footballers in Italy have been frequent targets of crime in the last few months, including World Cup winner Angel Di Maria.
The winger’s Turin mansion was broken into by burglars last October.
Unconfirmed reports said neighbours had heard shots and a gun had been found near the scene.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Milan defender Theo Hernandez had his house burgled not long after, with thieves stealing watches, jewels and cash.
The left-back was not at his house at the time of the incident but his wife, Zoe Cristofoli, and their six-month-old son were present during the ordeal.
Once inside the robbers are said to have forced her to open a safe.