Beijing, China – Legendary footballer Lionel Messi was detained by Chinese border police for a brief period on Saturday after he arrived in Beijing for a friendly match ahead of his transfer to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.Messi, who recently won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina, was carrying his Spanish passport but had forgotten his Argentinian passport.
He was released after providing some assurances to the authorities.The Chinese border police also conducted an investigation into the incident.Messi is set to participate in the Argentina-Australia match in the Chinese capital on Thursday.
The match is part of a pre-World Cup friendly tournament.This is Messi’s seventh visit to China and his first since 2017. He has a large following in China, and he quickly became a trending topic on Chinese social media upon his arrival.Messi recently announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons.
He will join Inter Miami as a free agent on July 1.
Here are some additional details:
Messi arrived in Beijing on a private jet.
* He was accompanied by his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, and their three children.
* The Chinese border police detained Messi for about an hour.
* Messi was released after providing his Spanish passport and some other documentation.
* The Chinese border police said that they were investigating the incident.
* Messi is set to play in the Argentina-Australia match on Thursday.
* The match is part of a pre-World Cup friendly tournament.
* This is Messi’s seventh visit to China and his first since 2017.
* Messi has a large following in China, and he quickly became a trending topic on Chinese social media upon his arrival.
* Messi recently announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons.
* He will join Inter Miami as a free agent on July 1.