In a surprising turn of events, legendary football icon Lionel Messi was detained by Chinese police at the Beijing airport on Thursday, June 15, ahead of Argentina’s highly anticipated match against Australia at Workers’ Stadium. Messi arrived in the country to lead his national team. In this crucial conflict he faced an obstacle with the Chinese border police. Reports have emerged indicating that Messi had visa-related issues, as he unknowingly carried his Spanish passport instead of his Argentine passport, lacking a valid Chinese visa. After about 30 minutes of discussion, the matter was resolved, allowing Messi to proceed through the airport.
Earlier today, Leo Messi faced some problems with his passport at Beijing airport. pic.twitter.com/rLNwI3W4nJ– Leo Messi _ Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) June 10, 2023
Messi has fond memories of his time on the Chinese soil, especially when he was a member of the Argentina team that won the Olympic gold medal in 2008 with a victory over Nigeria in the final match at the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium. At the age of 21, Messi played a key role in that crucial clash by assisting Angel Di Maria’s goal, eventually leading Argentina to victory. During the competition, the seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient showcased his talents by scoring two goals.
Following the match against Australia, Messi and his teammates are set to face Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex in Central Jakarta on Monday, 19 June, which will mark the end of the 2022-23 football season for them. Despite the challenges he faced during his time at PSG, this campaign has been an unforgettable one for Messi, as he finally achieved his long-held dream of winning the World Cup. Last year, Messi led Argentina to glory in Qatar in a thrilling final against France.
After a few weeks of well-deserved rest, Messi will begin a new chapter in his career in July as he joins Inter Miami. After opting not to renew his contract with PSG, the football maestro has decided to quit European football to join the David Beckham-owned Major League Soccer (MLS) team based in the vibrant city of Miami. Messi’s association with PSG begins in 2021, following his departure from Barcelona after nearly two decades of dedication.