Upon landing in Miami on 1/7 to prepare for their round of 16 World Cup 2026 match against Cape Verde, the Argentina national team underwent security screening. All players, including stars like Lionel Messi, were required to open their luggage for inspection by personnel.
Cristian Romero was the first to go through, and was found carrying a long-handled lighter, typically used for lighting candles or starting fires. The security officer was surprised the defender, born in 1998, had brought the item onto the plane, and informed him it would be confiscated.
Messi laughs loudly as Romero's item is confiscated at Miami airport, US on 2/7. Video: X / @JoshChavis65
Messi, walking behind, did not initially notice the incident. But when Rodrigo De Paul informed him, he turned, looked back, and burst into laughter until he was asked to undergo a full body scan with a handheld metal detector.
The shared video garnered tens of millions of views on X, with comments focusing on Messi's laugh.
Earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo also had an amusing moment before boarding a plane to Miami on 26/6, preparing for the final group K match against Colombia. Before passing through the metal detector, Ronaldo was asked to remove his backpack. The Portugal captain then joked with the staff, asking if he needed to take off his glasses as well.
Cristiano Ronaldo pretends to remove glasses to joke with security personnel at a US airport on 26/6. Video: X / @AlNassrTribune
Strict security screening procedures are a part of the World Cup 2026, particularly in the US, due to concerns about terrorist threats. All passengers arriving in host cities are screened immediately upon landing, with no exceptions for participating teams.
Previously, these screenings met with reactions from some teams, such as Iran and Uzbekistan. However, everything has proceeded normally, and no security alerts have been issued since the start of the tournament.
With 19 goals, Lionel Messi is the highest scorer in World Cup history. He is also the only player to score in 7 consecutive matches. Messi has 6 goals in this tournament, matching Kylian Mbappe (France), but has fewer assists (0 compared to 2). The forward, born in 1987, is expected to increase his tally as Argentina is in an easier bracket, facing Cape Verde in the round of 16 and either Australia or Egypt in the round of 8.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored two goals, both in the 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. The forward, born in 1985, is seeking his first World Cup knockout stage goal. However, Portugal is in a tougher bracket, facing Croatia in the round of 16, followed by Spain or Austria in the round of 8.
By Trung Thu
