When trying to use his Spanish passport instead of his Argentine one, Lionel Messi was stopped at border control at the Beijing Airport.
The 35-year-old traveled to China last weekend on a private jet with his “bodyguard” and other buddies, including Angel di Maria of Argentina.
Prior to Thursday’s friendly match against Australia, Messi was in route to join his international teammates.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was encircled by police in a video that went viral on social media. Messi appeared to be holding onto his passport as he spoke with them about the problem.
According to the local newspaper in China, Messi used the wrong passport, which caused the issues.
When trying to use his Spanish passport instead of his Argentine one, Lionel Messi was stopped at border control at the Beijing Airport.
The 35-year-old traveled to China last weekend on a private jet with his “bodyguard” and other buddies, including Angel di Maria of Argentina.
Prior to Thursday’s friendly match against Australia, Messi was in route to join his international teammates.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was encircled by police in a video that went viral on social media. Messi appeared to be holding onto his passport as he spoke with them about the problem.
According to the local newspaper in China, Messi used the wrong passport, which caused the issues.
It is claimed that Messi believed he could travel to Taiwan on his Spanish passport, meaning that it was also valid for China.
He was quoted as saying: “Is Taiwan not China?”
Messi was delayed for two more hours before he was finally granted a visa and let through.
See video below;
Los policías: taka taka sakatumoco
Messi: eeehh tengo pasaporte Argentino 😎pic.twitter.com/r6YIIiyINf
— Angel SC (@AngelSC__) June 12, 2023
