Footballer Lionel Messi, who enjoys immense popularity in China, arrived in Beijing on Saturday by private jet for a friendly match, where the World Cup winner with Argentina was greeted by cheering fans. "Messi! Messi! ", chanted several hundred supporters who were waiting for him at the airport, wearing the blue and white striped jersey of the No.10 of the Albiceleste, according to viral images published on social networks.
Several hundred others were waiting in front of his hotel, not far from the banks of the Liangma River, very popular with Pekingese for walks. The fans, initially calm and rather reserved, suddenly shouted in chorus the name of their idol believing to see the bus of Lionel Messi, found AFP.
شعبية الأسطورة ميسي في الصين 😯🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/It4LL2dwGY
— Messi Xtra (@M30Xtra) June 10, 2023
The arrival in China of the world champion was at midday the most discussed topic on the social network Weibo. "I absolutely want to see Messi!" wrote one user in tune with other comments.
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"I still feel the emotions of the match that dedicated Argentina to the World Cup," said another in reference to the victory of the Albiceleste after a legendary final against France in December. This is Lionel Messi's 7th trip to China, the last one was in 2017, according to local media.
World champion Argentina will play a friendly match against Australia on June 15 at the newly renovated Workers' Stadium in Beijing, with a capacity of 68,000 spectators. The match will mark the return of international football in China, after three years of health restrictions that emptied stadiums and led to a cascade of cancellations of sports competitions.
هناك مشكله في جواز سفر ليو ولم يتم حلها إلى الآن pic.twitter.com/6XcT6SqiDY
— Messi Xtra (@M30Xtra) June 10, 2023
The clash will be a rematch of the knockout stages of the World Cup held in Qatar at the end of 2022, where Argentina won 2-1 against the Socceroos.
Lionel Messi, who chose to leave Paris Saint-Germain to continue his career at Inter Miami, will also play another friendly, against Indonesia in Jakarta on June 19, as part of this Asian tour.
