Lionel Messi’s Entry to Beijing Delayed Due to Passport Issue

Superstar Argentinean footballer Lionel Messi arrived in Beijing on the 10th, although he had a slight issue while there. Due to having the wrong passport, Messi was briefly delayed at Beijing Capital International Airport and almost was denied entry.

Messi was reportedly stopped at Beijing International Airport for almost two hours owing to visa complications, according to a claim by “Red Star News,” a new media site under Chengdu Media Group. It is believed that this resulted from a breakdown in communication between Messi’s crew and the event planners.

Messi is a dual citizen and owns passports from both Argentina and Spain.

As per the amended “Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Argentine Republic on Facilitating the Issuance of Visas for Tourists” and the “Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Argentine Republic on Facilitating the Visa Procedures for Business Personnel,” as of June 15, 2017, both China and Argentina have begun issuing ten-year multiple-entry tourist visas.

Messi was unable to enter the nation without a visa since he was traveling to Beijing with a Spanish passport rather than his Argentine one. Messi acquired an expedited visa after 2 hours of emergency processing, which allowed him to enter China without incident.

Many supporters criticised the way the organisers handled the situation.

Messi reportedly flew in on a private jet to Beijing, according to the China News Agency. He was accompanied by his “bodyguard” Debalo and famous actors Di Maria, Enzo, and Paredes.

Messi will take part in an exhibition game between Argentina and Australia on June 15 at the 68,000-seat Beijing Workers Stadium, which has recently undergone renovation.

After that, he will fly to Jakarta to take part in an exhibition game between Indonesia and Argentina on June 19.