After enduring hours of anticipation, securing an extravagant lodge room and embarking on an exhilarating pursuit via the bustling streets of Beijing, the dedication of a Chinese Lionel Messi superfan reached its climax as he lastly managed to seize a cherished, albeit barely blurred, selfie together with his idol.
Argentine legend Messi is within the Chinese capital for a pleasant in opposition to Australia on Thursday and has been greeted by crowds of frenzied soccer followers looking forward to a glimpse.
Among them is Liu Yuhang, a 26-year-old pc programmer from the northeastern province of Liaoning who fell in love with the World Cup winner a decade in the past.
“He’s not just an athlete, he’s an artist,” Liu instructed Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday. “He’s given me more meaning in life and turned into a kind of belief for me.”
He mentioned he felt “really excited” when he heard Messi was making a uncommon go to to China – however knew he confronted an uphill battle to see his idol within the flesh.
Liu first joined the throngs of followers ready exterior the Argentina squad’s lodge however was unable to sneak a correct take a look at Messi on his approach inside.
Undeterred, Liu spent over 2,000 yuan ($280) on a luxurious room inside however was once more foiled by the tight safety presence.
His likelihood lastly got here on Sunday when he noticed the workforce coach pulling out of the lodge on the best way to a coaching session.
A frantic bicycle chase via the sweltering capital culminated with a panting Liu drawing alongside the car at a purple mild.
His reward: A short wave from a bemused-looking Messi within the again seat and a distant selfie with the person himself simply seen within the background.
“At that moment I felt really happy,” Liu mentioned. “I spent quite a lot of money for this, but if I hadn’t … I might have always regretted it.”
Messi arrived in Beijing on Saturday and can lead Argentina in opposition to Australia on the capital’s newly renovated 68,000-capacity Workers’ Stadium.
The tie is a rematch of the last-16 conflict finally 12 months’s World Cup, which Argentina received 2-1 on their option to lifting the trophy.
Tickets for the pleasant recreation – starting from 580 to 4,800 yuan – had been snapped up rapidly, with Liu amongst these lacking out.
“I tried to buy one, but couldn’t,” he mentioned, including that he deliberate to stream the match on-line with associates.
Airport drama
In a stunning flip of occasions, Lionel Messi’s journey to China for the Argentina versus Australia pleasant match took an eventful twist when he encountered difficulties at Beijing Airport, the place authorities questioned his Spanish passport upon entry.
Sources point out that Messi’s use of his Spanish passport stemmed from a misunderstanding relating to Taiwan’s political standing, as he questioned airport officers, asking, “Is Taiwan not considered a part of China?”
After hours of ready, it was finally revealed that Messi was capable of achieve entry into the nation with a brief visa, resolving the difficulty.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
