Lionel Messi asked controversial question at airport in last trip to China
Lionel Messi's last trip to China saw him reportedly ask a controversial question at the airport.
Messi's Inter Miami are heading over to the Far East for two friendly fixtures next month.
After Gerardo Martino's side failed to reach the MLS play-offs, they will take on Chinese Super League sides Qingdao Hainiu and Chengdu Rongcheng - with huge crowds expected.
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Messi was in China back in June prior to his MLS move being announced and scored less than one minute into a friendly against Australia in Beijing.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has fond memories in the city after winning Olympic gold back in 2008 but there were difficulties at the start of the trip earlier this year.
Messi travelled on a private jet but was stopped at border control, with videos doing the rounds of him being surrounded by police officers with a passport in hand.
They’re stuck 😖😖leo is communicating patiently #messi pic.twitter.com/aRTnthMshb
— kk (@nextonemaybe) June 10, 2023
According to the Daily Mirror, citing Chinese reports, the route of the problem was the fact that the Barcelona legend has two passports: one Spanish and one Argentinian.
He qualified for Spanish citizenship after moving to Barcelona as a youngster and spending most of his adult life there.
On this occasion, Messi was travelling with his Spanish passport but did not have his Argentine one with him despite the purpose of his visit being to represent his country.
Messi therefore had two wait for two hours at Beijing Capital Airport and had reportedly asked staff, "Is Taiwan not China?".
Those with a Spanish passport can enter Taiwan, an island around 100 miles from the coast of south-east China, without a visa as long as their stay is less than 90 days, but it seems as though Messi thought the same situation applied to China.
Relations between the two countries are said to be tense.
Messi was eventually given an expedited visa and allowed to enter the country before helping Argentina win 2-0.
He'll be hoping to avoid a repeat scenario when early November rolls around and he makes an eighth visit to China.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Inter Miami
Josh Lawless