Argentina’s friendly game against Australia in Beijing was interrupted by a pitch invader, a young boy who ran onto the pitch and took advantage of the chance to huge Lionel Messi. In the 66th minute, a video recorded from the crowd shows a young boy dressed in the iconic blue-and-white Argentina jersey jumping over the hoardings of the Workers Stadium and onto the pitch. The boy made a beeline for Messi, whom he hugs near the corner flag while being pursued by stadium security.
It was an adorable moment between Messi and his young fan, but it quickly grows into pantomime as the boy escapes from Messi’s hug as security arrives, sprinting away with significant speed towards the other side of the pitch.
He outruns security, sprinting all the way to Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, a hero in Argentina for winning the World Cup final penalty shootout and gives him a high-five.
It was an incredible scene as the youngster runs around the pitch, heading to the Australian 18-yard box, where all the players were waiting for the incoming corner. The security team chasing him grew from a few to over ten people, all of whom were unable to keep up with the youngster as he ran all over the pitch.
Check out the viral video here!
Finally, the invader was caught by security and pulled away by both arms and legs.
Messi and Argentina’s team will now head to Jakarta, where they will face hosts Indonesia in another Asian friendly on June 19th.