 "Here's why Messi was detained by Chinese authorities at Beijing airport")
Argentina captain and football legend Lionel Messi was detained by Chinese authorities at Beijing airport, while on duty for the Argentina football team. Argentina are set to face Australia in an international friendly at the Workers Stadium in Beijing on Thursday.
Over the weekend, the 35-year-old took a private jet to Beijing to join his teammates. A video shows him standing in the airport, holding his passport, surrounded by a group of police officers.
According to media reports, the 35-year-old was detained by Chinese Border Police for over two hours on his arrival in Beijing due to passport issues, as Messi had carried his Spanish passport instead of his Argentine passport, which did not have a valid Chinese visa.
Although Messi holds both Spanish and Argentine nationalities, he had reportedly forgotten to bring his Argentine passport to Beijing. This caused a problem with Chinese authorities because the team's visa was only valid for Argentine passports.
Eventually, the matter was resolved after customs issued him an expedited visa at the airport, and Messi was able to continue his journey and go to the team hotel.
After the fixture against Australia, Argentina are scheduled to play against Indonesia in Jakarta on Monday, although media reports suggest that the Argentine superstar could be rested for the match.
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Last week, the Argentine forward announced he will not renew his contract with PSG and will sign for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami, choosing the United States as his next destination over a Barcelona comeback or a deal to play in Saudi Arabia. MLS and Inter Miami confirmed the news on social media, but the American league noted "work remains to finalise a formal agreement".
Messi has spent the last two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, playing his final game for the club on Saturday, after moving from Barcelona in 2021.