Supporters massed in front of his hotel, a swarm of Argentine flags, a hideout on a staircase: the Messi Mania agitates Beijing before a friendly match played Thursday evening between world champion Argentina and Australia.
Chinese fans and media only have eyes for Lionel Messi, winner last year in Qatar of the World Cup, the only trophy that was still missing from his huge list.
Since the arrival on Saturday in the Chinese capital of the sevenfold Ballon d’Or, hundreds of supporters waving Argentine flags and dressed in the star’s jerseys have gathered in front of the five-star hotel where the Argentine team is staying.
Along the street leading to the facility, security has been tightened to contain the huge crowds trying to catch a glimpse of the 35-year-old each time he leaves for training. A supporter even recounts having discreetly entered the interior of the Four Seasons hotel in order to try to see Lionel Messi and his teammates.
“I first hid in the concierge’s closet, then I went upstairs to the team by the fire escape,” the man, who only gives his last name, told AFP. , Lin. Spotted and questioned by hotel security, he was later released.
Another supporter, Li Weihua, said he flew in from the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen and went directly to the hotel to join the fans in attendance. “I just wanted to feel the atmosphere,” says the 29-year-old.
Aged 17, Huang Yongming, originally from the big city of Changchun (northeast), managed to obtain one of the tickets for the meeting which will take place at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing. “I spent about 3,000 yuan (387 euros) for a ticket,” he told AFP. “It’s expensive, I know. But I told myself that if I didn’t take this opportunity, I would have regrets.
Some supporters had already started to gather Thursday morning in front of the stadium, in full sun and several hours before the kick-off of the scheduled meeting (1:00 a.m. French time). Lionel Messi will soon join Inter Miami, in the United States, after spending two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.
