Soccer superstar Lionel Messi arrived in Beijing on Saturday to play a friendly match against Australia with his World Cup-winning Argentina team. Hundreds of fans greeted him at the airport, chanting his name and wearing Albiceleste’s number 10 blue and white striped shirt.

This is Messi’s seventh trip to China, and his appearance was the most discussed topic on Weibo by midday. The friendly match will mark the return of international football in China after three years of strict restrictive measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Messi will also play another friendly against Indonesia on June 19 as part of the tour. However, he was briefly detained by Chinese police at the airport due to a passport problem.

Despite the passport issue, Messi’s arrival in Beijing was met with great excitement from fans. The Argentine forward is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and his presence in China is a major event for soccer fans in the country.

The friendly match against Australia is expected to draw a large crowd, as it marks the return of international football to China after a long hiatus.

The match will also be a rematch of the Round of 16 at the World Cup, where Argentina won 2-1 against the Socceroos. This time around, both teams will be looking to put on a good show for their fans and gain some valuable experience ahead of future competitions.

Messi’s trip to China is part of a larger tour that will see him play in several countries around the world. He recently left Paris Saint-Germain to pursue his career with Inter Miami, and his fans are eager to see him in action once again.

Overall, Messi’s arrival in Beijing is a major event for soccer fans in China and around the world. Despite the brief passport issue, his presence is sure to draw a large crowd and generate excitement for the upcoming friendly match against Australia.

As one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Messi’s influence on the sport is undeniable, and his fans are eagerly anticipating his next move.