Armed robbers reportedly tried to break into Manchester United winger Angel di Maria's house when the Argentine was having dinner with his family around 7.30 pm local time on Saturday.
The offenders, who were reportedly carrying scaffolding poles, tried to smash the back door to gain entry to the former Real Madrid winger's house in Prestbury, Cheshire.
However, the suspects fled the scene empty-handed when an alarm went off in the Argentine's house.
"At 7.30pm on Saturday, police received reports of a burglary at a house in the Chelford Road area of Prestbury," a spokesman for Cheshire Police told the Guardian.
"A number of offenders tried to gain access to the property by trying to smash the back door. The alarm was raised before the men got inside and they fled the scene."
According to The Sun, Di Maria was having dinner with his wife Jorgelina Cardoso and young daughter Mia when the incident took place.
Di Maria, who joined Manchester United for a British record fee of £57.9 million last summer, had played during his side's 3-1 win over Leicester City earlier that day.
This is not the first time that a footballer in England has been targeted by burglars as players, especially the top ones, are often victims to home intrusions, especially when they are away.
Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard had to contact the police after he and his pregnant girlfriend Elen Rives (now separated) were robbed while they were asleep in their house in Chelsea in 2008.
Everton defender Phil Jagielka was robbed at knifepoint when he was watching his side play against Hull City in the League Cup at his house in Cheshire in 2009. They forced the then 31-year-old defender to hand over jewellery and the keys to his Range Rover.
Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole also had his Surrey home broken into while he was away playing for England in 2010.
More recently, Wigan Athletic midfielder James McArthur's FA Cup winner's medal along with two wedding rings were stolen in a burglary at his home in May.
Swansea City boss Garry Monk's home in Gower Road in Swansea was also robbed when he underwent knee surgery in November.
