Lionel Messi was halted by authorities at Beijing Airport on his way to join the Argentina squad from Paris Saint-Germain. Messi entered the nation using Spanish passports, which is said to be the cause of the confusion.
Over the weekend, Messi, his bodyguard, Angel Di Maria, and a few of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s friends flew into China on a private jet.
The group were traveling to meet up with the Argentina squad, as they get ready for their upcoming friendly match against Australia on Thursday.
However, there was chaos at the Beijing airport, where border force personnel halted Messi.
Local news in China claims that the problem stemmed from the use of a Spanish passport rather than his Argentinian documents.
Additionally, according to reports, Messi was permitted to enter Taiwan on his Spanish passport, leading him to assume that entering China would be easy.
The 35-year-old was quoted as saying: “Is Taiwan not China?”
There’s was passport issue with Messi’s arrival to China causing delay but look at De Paul continuing to body guard Messi, we all need a friend like that, don’t we?
Video🎥 Via @nextonemaybe
— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) June 10, 2023
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Messi was reportedly held up for two hours before his Visa was granted and he was ultimately let through.
Messi and Di Maria naturally drew attention from locals when they were made to wait by guards, and pictures of the legendary forward posing with fans suggest that he was not too distressed by his border force ordeal.
Upcoming matches against Australia and Indonesia will give the Argentine the chance to add to his remarkable haul of 102 international goals.
He will then get an opportunity to rest and recuperate before embarking on a new challenge with Inter Miami in July.
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