Lionel Messi will feature in Argentina's international friendly against Australia this weekend - days after he was arrested at Beijing airport
Lionel Messi found himself in a dilemma at Beijing airport when he was stopped by border control after trying to use a Spanish passport instead of an Argentine passport.
Messi, 35, traveled to China on a private jet over the weekend, where he was accompanied by his "bodyguard" and several friends, including Argentinian star Angel di Maria. He was traveling to join his international teammates for a friendly against Australia on Thursday.
However, upon arriving in Beijing, a video circulating on social media showed Messi surrounded by several policemen. Messi appeared to clutch his passport while telling them about the matter. Local media in China suggested that the problem stemmed from Messi using the wrong passport.
It is also reported that Messi believes he can go to Taiwan with a Spanish passport, meaning it is also valid for China. He is quoted as saying:
"Isn't Taiwan China?" Messi is said to not hold an Argentine passport despite playing for the national team this week.
Messi was delayed for another two hours before finally getting his VISA and allowing him to go through. This is Messi's seventh trip to China, having previously visited the country for the 2008 Olympics, where he helped Argentina win a gold medal. As for Messi's club future, he will join Inter Miami next month when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires. Messi joins the franchise co-owned by David Beckham after turning down reported offers to join Barcelona and follow Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia.
The seven-time Balon d'Or winner will officially become an Inter Miami player on July 5, when the MLS secondary transfer window opens. The next game on the Herons schedule after that date is a clash with D.C. United - managed by Wayne Rooney - at Audi Field three days later, when Messi was able to play for the first time.
Understandably, demand for tickets to see the world-famous star has surged since last Wednesday's historic announcement, with thousands of tickets for that match sold out last week. On top of that, available ticket prices have skyrocketed from the original listing of $29 on Ticketmaster.
In fact, the ticket sales boom has been felt across the MLS, with Messi's signing seemingly capturing the public's imagination across the United States. In fact, game ticket sales and bargains have grown exponentially from Atlanta to Los Angeles to Chicago.
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