- All-time great in friendly action
- World Cup winners on show in Beijing
- Hysteria among Asian fan base
WHAT HAPPENED? Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was in Beijing on Thursday for a friendly meeting between the 2022 World Cup winners and the Socceroos. His presence in Asia has generated mass hysteria, with one supporter taking drastic action in a bid to get close to the Inter Miami-bound forward - as he dropped down from the terraces, raced onto the pitch, got his hug from Messi and a hand clap with Martinez, before eventually being chased down by security.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Messi made an immediate impact during Argentina’s 2-0 win over Australia, with the 35-year-old netting the earliest goal of his remarkable career as he rattled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box inside 90 seconds.
WHAT NEXT? The pitch invader that got close to Messi and his World Cup-winning team-mates was hauled off by his arms and legs, with Argentina now moving on to Jakarta and a meeting with Indonesia on Monday.