(Beijing) 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.
Fans and Chinese media have eyes only for Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers in history, winner last year in Qatar of the World Cup, the only trophy which was still missing from his immense prize 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.
PHOTO PEDRO PARDO, AGENCY FRANCE-PRESSE
Lionel Messi
A supporter recounts having discreetly entered the interior of the Four Seasons hotel in an attempt to see Lionel Messi and his teammates.
“I first hid in the concierge’s closet, then I went up to the team floor 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.
He traveled 2,000 kilometers to Beijing without even having a ticket for the match, as these sold out very quickly.
“I just wanted to feel the atmosphere,” says the 29-year-old.
17-year-old Huang Yongming, from the big city of Changchun (northeast), managed to get one of the tickets for the match to be held at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing.
“I spent about 3,000 yuan 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. »
A few supporters had already begun to gather outside the stadium on Thursday morning, in full sun and several hours before the kickoff of the meeting scheduled for 8 p.m. (8 a.m. Eastern time).
Lionel Messi will soon join Inter Miami, in the United States, after spending two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.