Do you know Lionel Messi was detained at a Chinese airport? This is unimaginable, but that is the reality as he entered China for an international friendly match to be held in China.
Upon arriving at the Beijing airport, the security at the airport detains the football legend. It did not matter that Messi was a celebrated footballer.
Why Lionel Messi was detained at a Chinese airport
According to reports, he entered China with the wrong passport ahead of Argentina’s friendly game against Australia.
The mix-up compelled the security to delay the world cup winner at the airport for using the wrong passport.
Lionel Messi was detained at a Chinese airport for travelling with a Spanish passport instead of his Argentinian passport. The player thought Taiwan was the same as China and went with the Spanish passport instead of the Argentine passport.
Messi travelled to China together with his international teammate Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, and his bodyguard ahead of Argentina’s friendly on Thursday, June 8, 2023.
The report suggested he asked the officials whether Taiwan is part of China or not: ‘Is Taiwan not China?’
Reports by The Daily Mail also claim the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was stopped and delayed for two hours at the airport by Chinese border control before he was finally released.
He got spared after informing the officials he did not have his Argentinian passport on him.
Lionel Messi and his teammate also got trapped in his hotel room in Beijing after fans gathered at his hotel to meet him. The action led to Argentina’s training session on Sunday, June 11, 2022, being delayed for a few hours.
According to reports, a fan spent 10,000 yuan (£1120) on rooms in order to see the football icon.
Argentina will play Australia in a friendly at the Worker’s Stadium Beijing in Taiwan.
READ: Why Lionel Messi Deserves To Win The 2023 Ballon d’Or
Australia would want to get revenge against Argentina after losing 2-1 to the world champions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.