Why Messi was detained at Chinese airport

Football great Lionel Messi was detained at the Beijing airport upon his arrival in China ahead of Argentina’s friendly game against Australia.

The World Cup winner is said to have been delayed by security at the airport for using the wrong passport.

Messi travelled to China together with his international teammate Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, and his bodyguard ahead of Argentina’s friendly on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Reports by Chinese media indicate that Messi travelled with a Spanish passport instead of his Argentinian passport due to thinking Taiwan was part of China.

The report suggested he asked the officials whether Taiwan is part of China or not: ‘Is Taiwan not China?’

Reports by The Daily Mail also claim the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was stopped and delayed for two hours at the airport by Chinese border control before he was finally released.

He got spared after informing the officials he did not have his Argentinian passport on him.

Lionel Messi and his teammate also got trapped in his hotel room in Beijing after fans gathered at his hotel to meet him. The action led to Argentina’s training session on Sunday, June 11, 2022, being delayed for a few hours.

According to reports, a fan spent 10,000 yuan (£1120) on rooms in order to see the football icon.

Argentina will play Australia in a friendly at the Worker’s Stadium Beijing in Taiwan.

Australia would want to get revenge against Argentina after losing 2-1 to the world champions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.