Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi hit a small snag on his arrival at Beijing airport when he was stopped at border control for trying to use his Spanish passport instead of his Argentine one.
The 35-year-old arrived in China on a private jet, accompanied by his bodyguard and a group of friends, to join his teammates in the national team for an upcoming friendly match against Australia.
A video clip circulating on social media captured the moment when Messi was surrounded by several police officers at the airport, holding his passport as he engaged in a discussion with them.
The problem began when Messi used an incorrect passport, according to Chinese media reports.
It was reported that the Argentine star thought his Spanish passport, which he had in his possession, would allow him to travel to Taiwan and presumably would be valid for entry into China.
Why did Messi use his Spanish passport?
Messi used his Spanish passport, because its citizens do not need a visa to enter Taiwan, which the footballer mistakenly thought was part of China, according to British media.
Interestingly, despite representing the Argentine national team, Messi was reportedly not in possession of his Argentine passport at the time of the incident.
As a result, he faced a slight delay of around two hours before the visa was finally granted and allowed to proceed, according to mashable India.
Slight delay at the airport
This visit to China coincides with Messi’s recent high-profile move to Inter Miami, where he made the decision to turn down offers to return to Barcelona.
While the passport mix-up may have caused Messi a temporary inconvenience, it doesn’t detract from the anticipation surrounding his move to Inter Miami and the excitement that awaits him as he embarks on this new chapter of his illustrious football career.
It is noteworthy that Taiwan currently enjoys self-rule, although Beijing considers it a rebellious province against the authority of the Greater People’s Republic of China, and it should not enjoy any kind of independence, according to Beijing.
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2023-06-14 04:37:00
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