Rodrigo De Paul's Reaction After Messi's Delay Due to Passport Issues in China (Video)

Argentine star Lionel Messi faced passport issues upon his arrival in China on Saturday, causing a delay at the airport.

Messi arrived in China with his teammate Rodrigo De Paul on a private plane, but encountered difficulties with his passport and documents, resulting in a delay at the airport.

Lionel
#Messi
arrived in Beijing on Saturday morning, which is the football star’s seventh
trip to China. Messi will lead world champions Argentina against Australia
in a friendly in Beijing on June 15.
pic.twitter.com/PeSqYjUc5R

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews)
June 10, 2023

De Paul tried to intervene to expedite their departure from the airport to the hotel, but they were allowed to move after waiting for about 40 minutes.

Photos show Messi leaning on one of the airport desks waiting for permission to pass through.

De Paul was always close to Messi, and a video shows him speaking with security personnel about Messi in an attempt to speed up the procedures.

😳El capitán y campeón del mundo fue demorado en el aeropuerto por problemas con su pasaporte. Luego de una larga espera, Messi y Rodrigo De Paul, que no se separó ni un segundo de su lado, pudieron unirse al resto.https://t.co/DG2HtGQbOE#rosario3 pic.twitter.com/ktVz8o4diF

— Rosario3.com (@Rosariotres) June 10, 2023

Fans gathered to welcome Lionel Messi as he prepares to play two friendly matches with the Argentine national team before traveling to Inter Miami, his new team.

Photo show large crowds of fans welcoming Messi, chanting "Messi, Messi."

After facing Australia on June 15, Messi and Argentina will play Indonesia on June 19.

This is Messi's seventh visit to China and the first since 2017.

The last match between Argentina and Australia was in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Messi scored a goal to lead his team to a 2-1 victory.