June 12, 2023, 12:43 PM
June 12, 2023, 12:43 PM
Hours of waiting, an expensive hotel room, a frantic chase through the streets of Beijing: nothing discouraged Liu Yuhangan unconditional follower of Lionel Messi who was finally able to fulfill his dream of seeing the Argentine star in person.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, currently in the Chinese capital for the Argentina-Australia friendly match on Thursday, sparked a wave of enthusiasm since his arrival in China on Saturday among the fans.
Among them, Liu Yuhang, a 26-year-old programmer who has followed the career of the world champion for a decade.
“He’s not just an athlete, he’s an artist”the young man told AFP on Monday. “He gives my life more meaning. He has become a kind of faith for me,” he admits.
When he found out that Leo Messi would be in China to play a game, Liu Yuhang was already aware that it would not be easy. see your idol up close and in person.
He first joined the fan group who were waiting for the star in front of the ‘Albiceleste’ concentration hotel. Unsuccessful first attempt.
Liu Yuhang then spent 2,000 yuan (260 euros; 280 dollars), a significant sum in China, to reserve a room at the five-star establishment.
But again the attempt did not bear the desired results. in the presence of a large security device.
His opportunity presented itself on Sunday afternoon, when he saw the Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni leaving the hotel to attend the training session.
Liu Yuhang then followed the bus of the team on bicycles before, sweaty, finding himself next to the players at a red light.
The reward for your sweat: a brief greeting with the hand of Leo Messi as well as a remote selfie with the Argentine star, he was sitting in the back of the vehicle.
“I was really happy.” Liu Yuhang explained. “I spent quite a bit of money in the end. But if I hadn’t, I might have regretted it all my life.”
The official ticket prices for the Argentina-Australia match They range from 580 to 4,800 yuan (75 to 625 euros; 81 to 672 dollars), but they sold out quickly.
“I tried to buy one, but I couldn’t”declared Liu Yuhang, who will watch the game online with his friends.
