Why Lionel Messi was detained by Chinese Police at Beijing airport? Watch here
2 min read 13 Jun 2023, 07:09 AM ISTFootball icon Lionel Messi faced visa issues at Beijing Airport ahead of Argentina's match against Australia.
PremiumFootball icon Lionel Messi faced an unexpected situation as he was detained by Chinese authorities at Beijing Airport before Argentina's eagerly awaited match against Australia at the Workers Stadium on June 15th. Mint could not confirm the news developments independently.
As per media reports, upon his arrival in the country to lead the Argentine national team in a crucial match, Lionel Messi faced an obstacle with the Chinese Border Police. It has been reported that the issue revolved around his visa, as Messi inadvertently carried his Spanish passport instead of his Argentine passport, which did not have a valid Chinese visa.
After a discussion lasting around 30 minutes, the matter was eventually resolved, permitting Messi to continue his journey beyond the airport.
At just 21 years old, Messi's exceptional talent shone through as he scored two goals and played a pivotal role in leading Argentina to secure the Olympic Gold Medal.
After the encounter with Australia, Messi and his fellow players are scheduled to play against Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex in Central Jakarta on Monday, June 19, marking the culmination of his 2022-23 football season.
Although he faced obstacles during his tenure at PSG, this season has been truly remarkable for Messi, as he fulfilled his lifelong aspiration of winning the World Cup. In an exhilarating final against France last year in Qatar, Messi guided Argentina to a victory.
After taking a well-deserved break for a few weeks, Messi is gearing up for a fresh chapter in his career starting in July. He will be joining Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team owned by David Beckham, in the dynamic city of Miami. Following his decision not to renew his contract with PSG, Messi is bidding farewell to European football and venturing into the MLS. His association with PSG commenced in 2021 after an illustrious tenure of almost twenty years with Barcelona.